Capsule endoscopy: the small intestine, photographed.
The small intestine sits beyond the reach of standard scopes. A capsule endoscopy photographs it from the inside, no sedation, no scope, no downtime.
Capsule endoscopy uses a vitamin-sized capsule containing a tiny camera. After you swallow it, it travels the length of your digestive tract taking thousands of images of the small intestine, transmitted to a small recorder you wear. No sedation is needed, most people barely notice it, and the capsule passes naturally.
When it's useful
- Finding sources of GI bleeding or iron deficiency anemia that colonoscopy and EGD didn't explain
- Evaluating the small intestine in suspected Crohn's disease
- Assessing small-bowel polyps in certain inherited syndromes
- Investigating unexplained abdominal symptoms when standard scopes are normal
How it works
You'll fast beforehand, swallow the capsule in the office, and go about a quiet day while the recorder collects images, typically about eight hours. There's no sedation and no recovery time. I then review the full image series and go over the findings with you. The disposable capsule passes on its own, usually unnoticed.
Capsule Endoscopy FAQs
Does the capsule hurt? +
Do I need sedation? +
What does it see that a scope can't? +
Is the capsule reused? +
Ready to schedule your capsule endoscopy?
Request an appointment and the office will take it from there.