Advance of video capsule endoscopy and the detection of anatomic landmarks

At the time of interpretation of Video Capsule Endoscopy (VCE), we sometimes see the characteristic anatomic landmarks like the major papilla of the duodenum. However, the frequency of these images and the factor affecting VCE transit are not well known. The aim of the study is to disclose the characteristics of the advance of VCE through the whole gastrointestinal tract.

We interpreted retrospectively the details of VCE with 100 patients again and analyzed the transit of VCE, significant factors affecting VCE's transit, and frequency of the anatomic landmarks observed.

The median esophageal transit time was 5.0 seconds; average gastric and small bowel transit times were 48.0 and 291.7 minutes. 'In-patient' and 'gastric transit time' were detected by statistical analysis as significant factors affecting VCE's transit to the cecum. The esophageal-cardiac junction, pyloric ring seen from the duodenal bulb, major papilla of the duodenum, ileo-cecal valve seen from the cecum, vermiform appendix, and anal canal were found with the following rates: 17, 33, 18, 20, 3, and 2%.

Present VCE has the limitations. This study may be the preliminary results for VCE investigating the whole gastrointestinal tract in the near future.