Unlike the upper endoscopy or colonoscopy, this test will be initiated in our office.
Small Bowel Capsule Endoscopy:
During the upper endoscopy we evaluate the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum (first part of the small intestines) and during the colonoscopy, the colon and terminal ileum (end of the small intestines) is evaluated. A small bowel capsule endoscopy enables Dr. Rosenbaum to see images of the entire small bowel which is over 20 feet in length. This is often done for patients with persistent iron deficiency anemia or gastrointestinal blood loss of unknown origin.
You will have a preparation to take the night before the exam to clean out the small intestines. If you are having any difficulties with this preparation, call our office. On the morning of your test, you will come to our office where we will attach leads (similar to an EKG) onto your abdomen. These leads are then attached to a data recorder that will collect all the images from the pill camera. Once hooked up and ready to go, we have you swallow a pill that will take two pictures a second for about eight hours.
After you swallow the capsule, you can go home and you will be given instructions for how to handle the rest of your day. We have you come back to the office 8 hours later to take the equipment off. We can then download your images from the data recorder to our computer for analysis.
Esophagus Capsule Endoscopy
This procedure is done mostly to screen for esophageal varices in patients with chronic liver disease. This test is done in our office. We attach leads like an EKG to you to be attached to a data recorder. You then swallow a capsule that takes 2 pictures a second to evaluate your esophagus. This entire procedure is completed before you leave the office.
