What is Capsule Endoscopy?
Capsule endoscopy is a remarkable technology in which a patient swallows a small, disposable capsule containing a miniature camera, light source, and wireless transmitter. As the capsule travels naturally through the digestive system — propelled by the bowel’s natural contractions — it captures thousands of images of the small intestine and transmits them wirelessly to a data recorder worn on a belt.
The procedure allows visualisation of the small bowel (the section between the stomach and colon), which is largely inaccessible to standard endoscopes.
When is Capsule Endoscopy Used?
- Investigation of obscure gastrointestinal bleeding (when gastroscopy and colonoscopy are normal)
- Suspected Crohn’s disease of the small bowel
- Assessment of known Crohn’s disease extent
- Investigation of unexplained iron deficiency anaemia
- Surveillance of small bowel polyps (e.g. in Peutz-Jeghers syndrome)
- Suspected small bowel tumours
- Assessment of coeliac disease extent or refractory coeliac disease
- Small bowel ulcers from NSAIDs or other causes
What to Expect on the Day
Bowel Preparation
A clear fluid diet and mild laxative preparation the day before improve image quality and diagnostic yield.
Swallowing the Capsule
You swallow the capsule (approximately 26 × 11 mm) with water at the clinic. Sensor patches and a data recorder are attached to your body.
Normal Daily Activities
You go home and resume light normal activities for approximately 8 hours while the capsule travels through your digestive system.
Return Recorder
You return the data recorder to the clinic. The capsule passes naturally in a bowel motion, usually within 24–72 hours.
Image Review
Thousands of images are reviewed by the gastroenterologist using specialist software. Results are discussed at follow-up.