Overview
The patient swallows a capsule, which takes photos of the small intestine and segments that are inaccessible via gastroscopy or colonoscopy.
Aim: to detect any lesions that cause symptoms such as:
- anaemia
- occult blood
- diarrhoea
Description
Capsule endoscopy is a non-invasive examination that allows the small intestine to be visualised and any lesions that may be causing symptoms such as anaemia, occult blood (hidden blood in stools), diarrhoea, etc., to be detected.
By swallowing a capsule the size of a large tablet, the digestive system and the segments of the small intestine can then be explored in a natural way while taking images. These images are sent to sensors (electrodes) contained in a belt around the patient’s waist and passed on to a recording device carried on a strap.
The images are analysed by the doctor at the end of the capsule’s journey, enabling, in some cases, changes in the small intestine that may be causing your problems (for example, inflammatory changes, ulcers, polyps or tumours) to be detected.
Preparation before the examination
Like a colonoscopy, the optimum analysis of the small intestine requires a thorough enema of the intestine. Your doctor will give you instructions and it is important to follow them very closely.
- Iron preparations should be discontinued 5 days before the examination
- The day before the examination: diet without fruit, without vegetables and without cereals
- The evening before the examination: light meal before 7 pm
- Take the enema treatment from 7 pm (following the doctor’s instructions)
- Morning of the examination: fast from midnight the night before
After the examination
At the end of the examination, you can eat and drink normally. The capsule is evacuated naturally.
If you feel any discomfort in your abdomen, fever or nausea during the examination, please contact your doctor or go to the emergency department.