What is Capsule Endoscopy?
Capsule Endoscopy or Pill Endoscopy is a small camera, the size of a pill, with light source that is swallowed. The camera travels naturally through the digestive tract and takes 2-3 pictures every second. The images are later processed and reviewed by an expert physician.
What is Capsule Endoscopy used for?
Capsule endoscopy allows for complete examination of the small intestine. It provides detailed images of the small bowel. Capsule endoscopy is used to evaluate for causes of abdominal pain, anemia, or bleeding. It is also a valuable tool for diagnosis or assessment of Crohn’s disease. Capsule endoscopy can also detect small bowel polyps and is a useful tool in cancer prevention in patients with polyposis syndromes such as Lynch syndrome (HNPCC) or Peutz Jeghers Syndrome.
How is Capsule endoscopy done?
Our office is equipped with capsule endoscopy. You swallow the capsule in the morning after being connected to a hard drive. Through the day the capsule captures images and sends them to the hard drive that you wear by a wireless antenna. You return later that day to return the hard drive. The capsule passes into the toilet and does not need to be captured.
Dr. Mehdizadeh is an expert in capsule endoscopy and has published several articles in peer reviewed medical journals.
