Video capsule endoscopy – commonly referred to as “pill cam” – is a diagnostic procedure that enables your gastroenterologist to examine three portions of your small intestine using a tiny camera the size of a large vitamin pill. The video capsule is swallowed and as it travels through the body, images are sent to a data recorder worn on a waist belt.
FAQs
When other diagnostic procedures have failed to determine the cause of recurrent or persistent symptoms like abdominal pain, diarrhea, anemia or bleeding, capsule endoscopy helps your physician actually see what the reason may be for those symptoms. For some chronic gastrointestinal diseases, the pill cam can help evaluate the extent to which your small intestine is involved or to monitor the effect of therapeutics. Video capsule endoscopy also can be used to obtain motility data, such as gastric or small bowel passage time.
Yes. In general, for approximately 10 hours before the procedure, you cannot have anything to eat or drink. An empty stomach is essential so your physician has optimal viewing conditions. You will get specific instructions about when to start fasting and whether you need any medication, such as a mild laxative, prior to the procedure.
In addition, some varieties of the recording device (waist belt) have small sensors that attach to your skin. Depending on which version your physician ordered, you may be asked to shave your upper pelvic area and potentially your chest and stomach also. Be sure to reference the test instruction sheets you received as this may or may not apply for your version of the test. As always, please call our offices if you have questions.
The morning of the procedure, you cannot have anything to eat or drink, and you should go to your appointment dressed in loose, two-piece clothing. First the sensors will be applied to your abdomen with adhesive pads and connected to the data recorder – the belt you will wear around your waist. Then you will swallow the pill cam capsule with a cup of water.
The procedure lasts about eight (8) hours and you do not have to stay at the physician’s office during that time. The data recorder, which is actually a small computer, will capture the images from the pill cam. You will be responsible for making sure the recorder is continuously working by checking a small blinking light and you will not be able to do anything strenuous, like bending over or lifting anything.
No. Approximately two hours after you swallow the pill cam, you can have clear liquids and after four hours, you can usually have a light snack unless your physician instructs you otherwise. After the eight-hour period is completed, most patients can return to their normal diet.
At the end of the eight-hour procedure, you will return to the physician’s office and the data recorder will be removed. The physician will then review the video images and compile the results. Results are generally ready in two to three weeks.
As a rule, most patients consider the test comfortable. Complications may occur, but they are rare when physicians who are specially trained and experienced perform the procedure. A potential risk could be retention of the capsule. Early signs of possible complications might include fever after the test, severe constipation, difficulty swallowing, increasing chest pain or abdominal pain. In any of these cases, the physician should be notified immediately.
The capsule should pass through your body naturally in a bowel movement. If you can’t verify that the capsule has been excreted, it is common to have an abdominal X-ray to make sure. You should not undergo an MRI or get an MRI unless you are certain the capsule has passed.