Capsule Endoscopy

44A capsule endoscopy is a procedure that uses a tiny, wireless camera to take thousands of pictures of the small intestines to help detect any problems. It is designed like a vitamin-sized capsule with a little camera inside. As you swallow the capsule, the camera begins to take pictures of your digestive tract, transmitting the images onto a recorder that you wear around your waist or abdomen.

This innovative technology allows your doctor to recognize any potential abnormalities inside of your small intestine, such as:

  • Polyps
  • Crohn's disease
  • Gastrointestinal bleeding
  • Cancer

Patients will be instructed to refrain from eating anything 12 hours prior to your appointment to allow for the clearest images to be obtained. Before the procedure, small adhesive patches may be attached to your abdomen to record the images transmitted from the capsule, or a recorder will be worn around your waist instead.

Once the recorder has been connected, you will be given the capsule to swallow with a glass of water. It is about the size of a large vitamin, so once it's past your throat you should not feel it as it moves through the body.

Generally, patients can return to their normal daily activities following their appointment, but heavy lifting and strenuous activity may be discouraged. Refrain from drinking water for about two hours after the procedure and four hours before eating a light meal. Usually, the capsule endoscopy has completely passed through your system within eight hours.

When you know the capsule has passed, please remove the recorder and follow the instructions provided to you for returning the device. You do not need to collect the capsule. It can be flushed down the toilet.

Once the recorder is returned to the office, your doctor will view the images and make a proper diagnosis. We will contact you when we have the final results.