Capsule Endoscopy
Small Intestine Imaging Tests in New Jersey
Capsule Endoscopy allows your doctor to view the lining of the small intestine which can’t be reached by upper endoscopy or colonoscopy. This procedure is different from a typical endoscopy in that it does not require a catheter. Instead, a small camera is placed inside a pill-sized capsule that you can swallow.
While the camera passes through your system, a sensor is placed on the abdomen which transmits images from the capsule to a nearby recorder. You will need to avoid strenuous physical activity while the camera is in your system and only eat and drink when your doctor gives the okay so as not to damage the camera or interfere with the test. It takes roughly eight hours for the capsule to pass.
Risks & Results
Capsule endoscopy has proven to be a very safe procedure. There is a slight risk that the capsule will get lodged in the digestive tract and fail to pass through. This is very rare, and typically only occurs in patients who have had small intestinal surgery in the past—in which case it is unlikely a doctor will recommend the test.
Capsule endoscopy is often used to diagnose:
- Crohn’s disease
- Ulcers
- Tumors
- Polyps
- Gastrointestinal bleeding
- Celiac disease
Given what we can learn from capsule endoscopy, the benefits far outweigh the minor risks. We strongly encourage you to ask your doctor any questions you have if you feel anxious about the procedure.
