Capsule endoscopy at Nuffield Health at St Bartholomew's Hospital

What is a capsule endoscopy?

A capsule endoscopy is a pill sized camera examination of the small bowel. Capsule endoscopy is a technology that uses a swallowed video capsule to take photographs of the inside of the oesophagus, stomach, and small intestine. 

What are the benefits of a capsule endoscopy?

Capsule endoscopy is useful in the evaluation of suspected small bowel diseases. Capsule Endoscopy offers several advantages over traditional endoscopy procedures including that it does not require sedation, is less likely to cause discomfort and has fewer potential complications.

Is a capsule endoscopy right for me?

You may need a capsule endoscopy if you have the following signs and symptoms:

• abdominal pain
• diarrhoea
• anaemia due to intestinal loss of blood.

It can also be used to diagnose diseases that may involve only the small intestine, for example, Crohn's disease. 

What happens during a capsule endoscopy?

Preparing for a capsule endoscopy

Before a capsule endoscopy the intestines are cleared of residual food with the use of laxatives.

During a capsule endoscopy

Patients swallow the camera, and during a short (day case) stay the images obtained are stored in a 'Walkman sized' data recorder and subsequently examined by the consultant.

In contrast to endoscopy or colonoscopy, patients do not require difficult preparation or sedation.