If your doctor suspects that you have ulcers, polyps, or even Crohn’s disease, you may need a capsule endoscopy to obtain an accurate diagnosis. With the wireless technology involved in capsule endoscopy, they can quickly and thoroughly diagnose your ailment. If you live in Brisbane, and need a capsule endoscopy, it’s time to see a gastrointestinal specialist. Call today to schedule your initial consultation or easily book your appointment online.
What is a capsule endoscopy?
Capsule endoscopy provides your gastroenterologist with the capability to visualise areas of your digestive tract that are not accessible through conventional colonoscopy or upper endoscopy procedures, particularly in the mid to lower small intestine where other scopes cannot reach.
During a capsule endoscopy, your doctor will give you a small, pill-sized video camera to swallow. Similar to a traditional endoscope, this camera is equipped with its own light source and is capable of transmitting images of your digestive tract to a compact recording device worn on your body. As the capsule endoscope travels through your digestive system, it captures high-quality images of the interior of your digestive tract.
Once the capsule has passed through your body and the recording is complete, your doctor reviews the images captured by the camera to assess the health of your middle digestive tract. This allows for the detection of any abnormalities or issues that may be present, such as ulcers, polyps, bleeding, or signs of inflammatory conditions like Crohn’s disease. Capsule endoscopy is a valuable diagnostic tool that offers a minimally invasive and comprehensive assessment of the small intestine, providing important information for accurate diagnosis and treatment planning.
Who requires capsule endoscopy?
If your doctor suspects there may be an issue in your small intestine, they may recommend a capsule endoscopy. This procedure is particularly useful for investigating the cause of bleeding in areas that are inaccessible by traditional methods such as colonoscopy or upper endoscopy.
The experienced gastroenterologist utilises capsule endoscopy to diagnose a range of conditions affecting the small intestine. These may include polyps, inflammatory bowel disease such as Crohn’s disease, tumors, and ulcers. Additionally, if there is suspicion of other conditions such as angiodysplasias (which can lead to severe anemia), lymphoma, carcinoid tumor, or cancer of the small intestine, capsule endoscopy may be recommended to provide valuable diagnostic information.
By employing capsule endoscopy, our specialist can thoroughly evaluate the small intestine and accurately diagnose underlying conditions, enabling appropriate treatment planning and management.
How to prepare for a capsule endoscopy?
To ensure optimal imaging quality during your capsule endoscopy, it’s essential to have an empty stomach. The specialist usually advise fasting for a minimum of 12 hours before the procedure. Additionally, you may be instructed to take a laxative either the night before or in the morning of your endoscopy to help clear your digestive tract.
During the capsule endoscopy procedure, your doctor will provide you with the capsule to swallow. Over the following eight hours, the capsule travels through your digestive tract, capturing a rapid succession of images. These images are transmitted via a radio transmitter to a receiver that you wear on your waist.
Once the procedure is complete, the captured images are downloaded, allowing your doctor to review them for any abnormalities or concerns. The capsule is naturally passed from your body and does not need to be retrieved.
By following these guidelines and undergoing capsule endoscopy, our specialist can obtain valuable diagnostic information about your digestive health, enabling appropriate treatment and management of any underlying conditions.
When will I receive the results from my capsule endoscopy?
When the procedure is finished, the images obtained from the capsule will be downloaded to a software program that produces a “movie” of your small intestine. It might take the physician a number of hours to fully review these photos. Results are typically ready inside of 1-2 weeks. You will typically be contacted by our team with the capsule endoscopy findings.
What are the risks of a capsule endoscopy?
In general, capsule endoscopy is an extremely safe procedure. Statistically, complications occur in fewer than 1% of patients. Generally, these complications are not life-threatening, still, if a complication does occur, it can require hospitalisation and surgery. Prior to the exam, a consent form will be reviewed with the patient by our nursing staff.
One potential risk is that the pill capsule could become lodged in the intestine, resulting in an obstruction. This would typically require a hospital stay and surgery. It is of the utmost importance to call your doctor’s room immediately if any symptoms arise following the capsule endoscopy, like increasing abdominal pain, bleeding, or fever.
