Evidence-Based Guide on Capsule Endoscopy for Small Bowel Bleeding

Capsule endoscopy is the diagnostic test of choice for the evaluation of overt and occult small bowel bleeding. Its yield is higher in patients presenting with overt bleeding. The yield is also improved if the capsule is performed soon after the presentation of bleeding. Capsule endoscopy has a complementary role with cross-sectional imaging to triage patients for appropriate management, including deep enteroscopy, surgery, or, if negative, conservative management. Although capsule endoscopy is useful to detect vascular and inflammatory lesions, it appears to have a significant miss rate for solitary small bowel lesions, including tumors. The main adverse event is capsule retention in patients with underlying small bowel obstruction.