What is capsule endoscopy?

Wireless capsule endoscopy provides a way of examining the inside surface of a patient’s small bowel.

The patient swallows a small capsule containing a tiny camera. As the capsule passes through the patient’s body, it takes pictures and these are transmitted to a data recorder that the patient wears on a belt.

The pictures are then transferred to a computer where the results are read by the Consultant Gastroenterologist for diagnosis.

The capsule is passed out of the body naturally. The capsule and camera are not re-used.

Capsule endoscopy is a simple, safe, non-invasive, reliable technique, well accepted and tolerated by patients, which allows complete exploration of the small intestine.

The advent of capsule endoscopy has dramatically changed the diagnosis and management of many diseases of the small intestine, such as obscure gastrointestinal bleeding, Crohn’s disease, small bowel tumours, and polyposis syndromes.

Capsule endoscopy has become the gold standard for the diagnosis of most diseases of the small bowel.

Colonoscopy and capsule endoscopy patient preparation instructions.docx 15KB