Five years' experience with capsule endoscopy in a single center.

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology and Endoscopy
• Medical Imaging Technology

Background:

• Capsule endoscopy (CE) is a minimally invasive diagnostic tool for small bowel visualization.
• Its efficacy in obscure gastrointestinal bleeding (OGIB) is well-established, with growing evidence for other small bowel conditions.
• CE is increasingly recognized as superior to alternative diagnostic methods for specific small bowel diseases.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the procedure, indications, contraindications, and adverse effects of capsule endoscopy.
• To discuss the role of CE in diagnosing and managing various small bowel diseases.
• To present a five-year experience with CE in diverse small bowel pathologies.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of capsule endoscopy applications in small bowel diseases.
• Analysis of clinical trial data and expert recommendations.
• Retrospective review of a five-year institutional experience with CE.

Main Results:

• CE is a recommended first-line investigation for OGIB post-negative bidirectional endoscopy.
• CE plays a key role in diagnosing and monitoring Crohn's disease, celiac disease, and surveillance of small bowel tumors/polyps.
• Capsule retention is the primary complication, occurring in 1%-2% of cases.

Conclusions:

• Capsule endoscopy is a highly effective, noninvasive tool for small bowel evaluation.
• CE is complementary to balloon-assisted enteroscopies, enhancing diagnostic and therapeutic capabilities for small bowel diseases.
• CE is integral to the modern management of various small bowel conditions.