Indications

Small Bowel Capsule

The small bowel capsule endoscopy is indicated for the following conditions:

• the investigation of iron deficiency anaemia
• suspected obscure gastrointestinal bleeding
• when small bowel Crohn’s disease is suspected or requires surveillance
• for the evaluation of Coeliac disease (including failure to respond to a gluten free diet or medical therapy or where there is doubt about the diagnosis) and other disorders that may lead to chronic diarrhoea and weight loss
• for the detection and surveillance of small bowel tumours (e.g. polyps, GISTs, carcinoids, lymphoma)
• for the identification of medication related small bowel injury (e.g. NSAID-induced enteropathy)
• as a diagnostic aid when small bowel abnormalities have been identified by other investigations (such as CT, MRI or barium X-rays)

Oesophageal Capsule

Oesophageal capsule endoscopy is also available but will be performed after prior discussion.

Studies suggest that the oesophageal capsule may have a useful role in the evaluation of acid reflux-like symptoms and the investigation of patients with liver disease particularly for patients unwilling to undergo gastroscopy. This includes the non-invasive detection of:

• oesophagitis
• Barrett's oesophagus
• oesophageal varices

Capsule endoscopy is contra-indicated in patients with known or suspected gastrointestinal obstruction and during pregnancy.