Efficacy of new playback functions at reducing small-bowel wireless capsule endoscopy reading times

Interpretation of video capsule data is time-consuming. Olympus capsule endoscopy (CE) software systems are equipped with auto-speed-adjusted and express-selected playback modes and overview function in an effort to reduce reading times. The clinical efficacy of these new playback features is unknown. Our objective was to evaluate the diagnostic yield and reading times of these new playback features.

This was a retrospective cohort study involving two experienced CE readers who analysed the CE procedures using either overview with express-selected or overview with auto-speed-adjusted modes. All CE videos were read blinded using Olympus Endocapsule software at 15 frames per second. The findings were then compared with those obtained when the CE procedures were read with conventional methods.

Seventy patients (36 male, 34 female) with a mean age of 51 ± 22 years were included in the study. Clinically significant findings were found for 40/70 (57%) patients. Use of overview function alone resulted in recognition of 32/40 (80%) clinically significant findings; when overview function was combined with express-selected or auto-speed-adjusted methods 39/40 (97.5%) clinically significant findings were recognised. The average reading time for overview with auto-speed-adjusted mode (34 ± 10 min) was significantly (p = 0.001) more than for overview with express-selected mode (19 ± 5 min).

The reading time for overview with express-selected mode was significantly lower than for overview with auto-speed-adjusted mode, with few unrecognised clinically significant lesions. These new playback systems can efficaciously reduce reading times of CE but need further evaluation in prospective multicentre studies.