Capsular endoscopy: what is it, where and how is it performed?

Tumors and other diseases of the small intestine represent a rather serious danger to human life. After all, until now the question of the possibility of conducting examinations of this area of the gastrointestinal tract has not been resolved by medicine. However, not so long ago, hope still appeared. This is the so-called capsular endoscopy. It was first certified in America in 2001 and now allows you to explore absolutely all parts of the intestine.

What it is?

Capsular endoscopy is a medical examination of the large and small intestine, which is carried out using a special device of small size, developed by a scientist from Israel Gavriel Iddan. This capsule is a miniature device with a length of 2.6 and a width of 1.1 centimeters. It is quite similar to the usual drug, but it contains not chemical substances, but an integrated camera that allows you to diagnose almost all diseases of the intestinal tract as accurately and correctly as possible.

In addition to the optical device, the present device includes a wireless radio frequency transmitter, as well as a battery and a backlight module. Such a device needs much less power than a conventional endoscope. That's why this "tablet" can work for several hours at a fairly low light.

Capsular endoscopy gives specialists a multitude of images of internal surfaces of the intestine with a frequency of 2 frames per second. It is worth noting that in just eight hours of continuous research this device makes several tens of thousands of pictures and transfers this information to a special recording device that is located on the patient's belt.

Survey completion process

After the capsular endoscopy, the price of which is presented just below, is completed, the apparatus leaves the intestinal tract in a natural way. Those data that are recorded on the device are processed by means of a special computer program. A specialist (endoscopist) can see them on the screen of his own monitor, and then analyze and place an accurate diagnosis.

Research Benefits

In comparison with the usual GI examination, capsular endoscopy has a huge number of positive moments. First, with such a miniature device, there is no need to enter the endoscope sequentially through the oral cavity, esophagus, stomach, etc. After all, this procedure is rather unpleasant and even painful. In addition, with the help of such a device, you can examine absolutely the entire gastrointestinal tract, including the thin, straight and large intestine.

Disadvantages of the study

Capsular endoscopy, reviews of which are more positive, has its drawbacks. For example, in the process of such a diagnostic study, it is impossible to take pieces of tissue (or a biopsy), and also perform any medical manipulations (remove the polyp, stop the bleeding, etc.). In addition, there is a small probability (0.5-10%) of the delay of the video in the patient's gastrointestinal tract. In such situations, it is extracted using a conventional endoscope or by surgical intervention. It is also worth noting that capsular endoscopy, the price of which varies within the range of 1-2 thousand dollars, is not available to all patients.

How effective is the procedure?

Several years ago, laboratory studies of this technique on dogs were conducted. They implanted many multicolored beads, and then alternately performed capsular and traditional endoscopy. After that, experts calculated that a new method of diagnosing intestinal diseases found more implanted beads than the usual one. Thus, these clinical studies have confirmed the effectiveness of capsular endoscopy.

It is worth noting that with this technique, the source of bleeding in the small intestine is established quite clearly, while traditional methods do not detect it at all.

How and where to make capsular endoscopy?

This procedure is carried out in many polyclinics, scientific and medical centers, as well as oncological dispensaries of our country. Like the traditional study, the capsular also requires preparation. 12 hours before the event, you can not eat anything. Before the procedure, the patient is fastened with special sensors to the waist, and then he swallows the capsule and is engaged in his usual affairs. Exactly 4 hours after taking the "pill" the patient can have lunch, but the food should be as light as possible. Then the capsule comes out naturally, after which the patient returns the recording device to the doctor, who analyzes the data and makes a diagnosis. It should be noted that if a person feels discomfort during the procedure, then he should immediately consult a doctor.