title: Capsule endoscopy: technique and indications.
abstract: Since it was introduced in 2000, capsule endoscopy has become the gold standard for endoscopic examination of the small bowel in several clinical situations such as obscure gastrointestinal bleeding, suspicion of Crohn's disease, and surveillance of polyposis syndromes. In this technique a miniaturised endoscope, embedded in a swallowable capsule, is propelled through the gut by peristalsis and reaches the right colon in 5-8h. Images captured by the capsule are recorded on a hard drive in a belt worn by the patient. In addition to the extensive literature currently available on small bowel CE, new capsule devices are currently under evaluation for the examination of the colon with the purpose of screening for colorectal cancer, and of the oesophagus for screening for oesophageal varices and Barrett's oesophagus. These latter indications currently remain under evaluation. This review considers the technical aspects of capsule endoscopy and discusses the indications. Issues of safety and tolerance are also discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine and Digestive Pathology, Hôpitaux de Brabois Adultes, Tour Drouet, CHU de Nancy, F-54511 Vandoeuvre-les-Nancy, France. m.delvaux@chu-nancy.fr
authors.forename: Michel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Delvaux
authors.forename: Gérard
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gay
mesh_terms: D011125:Adenomatous Polyposis Coli / Q000473:pathology; D001471:Barrett Esophagus / Q000473:pathology; D053705:Capsule Endoscopes; D053704:Capsule Endoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects; D002446:Celiac Disease / Q000473:pathology; D003113:Colonoscopy; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology; D003424:Crohn Disease / Q000473:pathology; D016099:Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D004867:Equipment Design; D004932:Esophageal and Gastric Varices / Q000473:pathology; D004945:Esophagoscopy; D006471:Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted; D007410:Intestinal Diseases / Q000473:pathology*; D007414:Intestinal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology; D007421:Intestine, Small / Q000473:pathology*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests