Initiial Experience with Wireless Capsule Endoscopy – The „Trials and Tribulations“

Introduction: Wireless capsule endoscopy is a novel technique for imaging the small intestine

Aim: To report our initial experience in the use of wireless capsule endoscopy in patients referred for investigation of suspected diseases of the small intestine.

Methods: We reviewed the findings of capsule endoscopy in consecutive patients from April to September 2003

Results: 21 patients underwent 24 procedures. 12 patients (57%) were female. The age range was 18–72 years (mean 47.8 years). Indications included assessment of coeliac disease in 7 (33%), including 5 with refractory coeliac disease, occult GI bleeding in 6 (29%), detection of primary carcinoid in 3 (14%) and assessment of small bowel Crohn's disease in 2 (10%).

Complete imaging of the small intestine was possible in 14 patients (67%). Incomplete imaging included delayed gastric emptying in 2 and contamination in 1. Positive findings were obtained in 6 coeliac patients (86%), 1 of 2 patients with suspected Crohn's disease but only I (16%) of patients with occult GI bleeding. In 2 (67%) patients referred with carcinoid syndrome, a primary lesion was detected. No complications were reported.

Conclusion: Wireless capsule endoscopy is a safe and useful tool for the investigation of the small intestine. However this procedure is not without limitations, including a high incomplete examination rate and a low yield in the investigation of occult GI bleeding.