[Capsule endoscopy is better than other methods. 66 examinations performed at Sodersjukhuset prove a high diagnostic...

Capsule endoscopy is a non-invasive method to investigate the small intestine by means of a swallowable videocapsule that takes pictures during its passage throughout the gut. The method has been proven to have a high diagnostic yield in obscure GI bleeding and suspected small bowel Crohn's disease in cases where traditional methods have failed. In 63 patients consecutively evaluated by capsule endoscopy pathological lesions were found in 39 (62%), of which angiodysplasias were the most common (33%). Inflammatory changes including Crohn's disease constituted 40% of the findings. Malignant tumors were found in two patients (5%). Half of the patients with patological findings were either medically treated or referred to surgery. Capsule endoscopy is a new method for small bowel examination that has a great potential to replace some older methods with lower diagnostic yield.