title: String esophageal capsule endoscopy with real-time viewing improves visualization of the distal esophageal Z-line: a prospective, comparative study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Esophageal capsule endoscopy (ECE) is relatively limited because of poor visualization of the distal esophagus. This study aimed to investigate whether string esophageal capsule endoscopy with real-time viewing (SECE+RTV) could improve the Z-line viewing of the distal esophagus as compared with conventional ECE.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty healthy volunteers, aged 20-45 years, were recruited and underwent SECE+RTV and ECE sequentially. The main outcome measures included grade of air-bubble and saliva interference, success rate of Z-line viewing (frequency of visualizing at least three quadrants), and frame number of images captured on the Z-line.
  
  
  RESULTS
  SECE+RTV showed a significantly greater percentage of no or mild air-bubble/saliva interference at the gastroesophageal junction [SECE+RTV vs. ECE, 90.0% (27/30) vs. 10.0% (3/30), P<0.001]. SECE+RTV had a significantly greater frame number of images captured on the Z-line (154.4±6.3 vs. 46±5.1, P<0.001). Moreover, SECE+RTV had significantly greater percentages of at least two quadrants [100.0% (30/30) vs. 80.0% (24/30), P<0.001] and at least three quadrants [90.0% (27/30) vs. 36.7% (11/30), P<0.001] of Z-line visualization.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Compared with ECE, SECE+RTV provides a better view of the distal esophagus in healthy individuals.
authors.affiliation: aDepartment of Cardiothoracic Surgery and Fuzhou General Hospital bDepartment of Gastroenterology, General Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou cDepartment of Gastroenterology, Fuding Hospital, Fuding, China.
authors.forename: Wei-Sheng
authors.initials: WS
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Li-Huan
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.forename: Da-Zhou
authors.initials: DZ
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Long
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Yi-Long
authors.initials: YL
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Wen
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D053704:Capsule Endoscopy / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D003199:Computer Systems; D004867:Equipment Design; D004935:Esophageal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D004945:Esophagoscopy / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012463:Saliva; D055815:Young Adult