The process of recording the pictures of the appearance of the digestive tract for medical purpose is called Capsule Endoscopy. The capsule is the shape and size of a tablet shaped and sized capsule that consists of a small camera. It captures photographs of the gastrointestinal tract after the patient swallows it.An intricate area of the small intestine that cannot be examined by colposcopy or Esophagogastroduodenoscopy, capsule endoscopy is helpful for examining such areas.
Medical Use
The use of capsule endoscopy is to mainly scrutinize the areas of the gastrointestinal tract that cannot be performed by existing methods of endoscopy. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy also termed upper endoscopy, itexamines the duodenum which is the beginning part of the small intestine, the stomach and the esophagus by using a camera fixed on a tube which is long and flexible. The terminal ileum, the distal portion of the small intestine and the colon can be viewed by inserting a colonoscope through the rectum. Most of the centralized portion of the gastrointestinal tract cannot be viewed by these two forms of endoscopy.
When a patient suffers from peptic ulcers, abdominal pain, occult bleeding or Crohn’s disease which are all commonly detected in the small intestine, capsule endoscopy is broadly advised. However, discovered pathology cannot be treated by capsule endoscopy. The captured photographs are transmitted wirelessly by capsule endoscopy to frequency bands worn by the patients. These images are then transferred for displaying, reviewing and diagnosis to a computer. Precise estimation of the capsule location real-time inside the gastrointestinal tract can be monitored by a radio-frequency signal transmission. Anonymous deficiency of iron, unidentified pain in the abdomen, inflammatory bowel disease, polyps and ulcers are also some of the known reasons for using capsule endoscopy.
Wireless capsule endoscopy are presently focusing on bringing about more sensing appliance that can be used to localize, enable new applications by control of motions for example delivering drugs to various organ in the body. However, it is not assured if capsule endoscopy in capable of replacing gastroscopy in patients who suffer cirrhosis. It is also reported that capsule endoscopy is not used as widely as the conventional upper endoscopy as it is widely available and the experience with capsule endoscopy has not been extensive.
Side Effects
Capsule endoscopy is regarded as an extremely safe method to examine unidentified causes of bleeding of the gastrointestinal tract. The capsule is commonly withdrawn within 24-48 hours through feces. However, various reports suggest that there been a record of the capsule being present in a patient’s body for one and half years who was asymptomatic.