title: [Capsule endoscopy--a new method for the diagnosis of diseases of the small intestine].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Diseases of the small intestine are rare and often difficult to diagnose because of a lack of sensitive methods. A new technique called wireless capsule endoscopy has recently been developed; it allows visualisation of the entire small intestinal surface.
  
  
  METHODS
  The patient swallows a capsule containing a small digital camera, a battery and a radio transmitter. The capsule takes 2 pictures per second during its passage through the intestines; pictures are transferred by radio signals that are detected by sensors on the abdominal skin, stored on a data recorder and later analysed on a PC.
  
  
  RESULTS
  By the end of November 2003 we had performed 80 capsule endoscopies in 69 patients. All patients were referred because of suspected small bowel disease and had been through an extensive diagnostic workup before capsule endoscopy was performed. Most of them were referred because of obscure gastrointestinal bleeding or iron deficiency anaemia. Small bowel pathology was found in one third of the patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Capsule endoscopy seems to be a major improvement in the diagnosis of small intestinal diseases. It is a non-invasive and painless procedure.
authors.affiliation: Gastroenterologisk seksjon, Medisinsk avdeling, St. Olavs Hospital, 7006 Trondheim. gunnarq@ntnu.no
authors.forename: Gunnar
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Qvigstad
authors.forename: Oddbjørg
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Fløttum
authors.forename: Helge L
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Waldum
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002214:Capsules; D016099:Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007410:Intestinal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D007421:Intestine, Small / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
chemical_list: D002214:Capsules