Capsule Enteroscopy

Capsule enteroscopy, for diagnosing the location of bleeding in the small intestine, is available at Guthrie’s GI Endoscopy Center in Sayre. Capsule enteroscopy is used to discover the source of a gastrointestinal bleed in the small intestine – usually due to blood vessel malformations that occur spontaneously -- that cannot be located through colonoscopy or upper endoscopy. In the procedure, the patient comes to the office in the morning and swallows a jelly-bean sized capsule, which encases a lens, photo cell, light source, battery and transmitter. The patient then dons a receiver vest which intercepts the photos transmitted from the capsule, and a small computer hard drive in a belt pack that stores the images. Eight hours later, the patient returns, vest and belt pack are removed, and the images are downloaded to a computer, which runs the still color images together into a movie. The physician views this movie to determine the location of the bleed.

The advent of the capsule does not mean patients can avoid a colonoscopy or flexible sigmoidoscopy: "This diagnostic option will never replace standard endoscopic procedures such as colonoscopy or upper GI endoscopy, but it’s an adjunct tool that allows us to view portions of the small intestine that have previously been difficult for us to see due to its length. The image quality from the capsule is excellent – it’s pretty much the same resolution we’re used to with colonoscopy," said Thomas McDonald, MD, Guthrie’s chief of gastroenterology.

With the capacity to capture two images per second – 50-60,000 photos during the whole time it’s in the body -- the capsule is 70-80% effective in locating the source of a GI bleed. "Once we know where the bleed is, we can use traditional scoping methods to cauterize the bleed, or we can have it taken care of surgically. We’re pleased to make this option available to our patients," said Dr. McDonald.