Capsular endoscopy

Various diseases of the stomach and small intestine are quite common today. Until recently, the ability to accurately and quickly diagnose them was reduced to a minimum percentage. But there was a new method of examination, which can reveal and show a complete picture of the disease, - capsular endoscopy.

What is the essence of the diagnosis?

This type of diagnosis was registered in America in 2001. It is considered to be a more advanced and extended type of endoscopy, which is used in gastroenterology. Capsular endoscope is a small "pill", which the patient must swallow. Its size is not very large - 1,1х2,6 centimeters. The endoscope capsule contains the following:

• camera;
• radio frequency transmitter;
• backlight module;
• battery.

Thanks to the cameras, you can track the entire path of the probe and diagnose almost all diseases - from the pharynx to the small intestine. The device takes a lot of pictures of the inner surface of the pharynx, esophagus, stomach and intestines. On average, the path of this device takes about 8 hours, but it also lasts longer, for example, twelve, which is also considered normal.

Capsular endoscopy of the stomach is completely painless and does not cause any inconvenience, in contrast to the usual gastrointestinal examination. That's why most doctors recommend this method. Although the cost of such a survey is quite high. If the question concerns the intestine, then this option is almost the only way to get complete information about the diseases. Make capsular endoscopy is recommended for the following health problems:

• abdominal pain, the origin of which is difficult to determine;
• prolonged diarrhea and weight loss;
• suspicion of polyps in the stomach or tumor;
• gastrointestinal bleeding;
• nonspecific ulcerative colitis;
• enteritis;
• irritable bowel syndrome .

How is the examination carried out?

Preparation for capsular endoscopy and manipulation is as follows:

1. 12 hours before the test, you can not eat, it is recommended to clean the intestines .
2. Before taking the "pill" is hung a special sensor at the waist of the patient.
3. Within four hours after taking the capsule, you can eat a little, but light food.
4. After 8 hours the capsule will pass through the entire body. During this time, the camera is done at 2 frames per second and as a result, the doctor will have several tens of thousands of pictures.
5. After its release in a natural way, the patient gives the capsule and gauges to the endoscopist, who will be able to thoroughly examine the obtained pictures and establish a diagnosis. All the pictures can be viewed on the monitor.

The advantages and disadvantages of the method

Capsular endoscopy of the intestine or the entire gastrointestinal tract helps to examine in detail all organs and identify problem areas. The main feature of this diagnosis is that it can get and go that way, which is quite problematic for conventional endoscope. However, it has no contraindications and is completely painless.

The disadvantages of the study can be attributed to the fact that there is no possibility during its carrying out to make a biopsy, as well as conduct any medical manipulation. That is, you can not immediately stop bleeding or remove the detected polyp. There are cases when the capsule does not leave the body. In such an embodiment, the capsule can be removed either by an endoscope or surgically. In any case, the percentage of this probability is quite low and equates to 0.5-1%.

If the patient begins to feel too uncomfortable or felt pain during the procedure, tell the doctor immediately.