Tumors and other diseases of the small intestine pose a rather serious danger to human life. After all, medicine has not yet resolved the question of the possibility of conducting examinations of this area of the gastrointestinal tract. However, not so long ago, hope nevertheless appeared. This is the so-called capsular endoscopy. It was first certified in America in 2001 and now allows you to explore absolutely all parts of the intestine.
What it is?
Capsule endoscopy is a medical examination of the large and small intestines, which is carried out using a special device of small size, developed by a scientist from Israel Gavriel Iddan. This capsule is a miniature device with a length of 2.6 and a width of 1.1 centimeters. It is quite similar to the usual drug, but does not contain chemicals, but an integrated camera that allows you to accurately and accurately diagnose almost all diseases of the intestinal tract.
In addition to the optical device, the presented device includes a wireless radio frequency transmitter, as well as a battery and a backlight module. Such an apparatus requires much less power than a conventional endoscope. That is why this "tablet" can work for several hours in fairly low light.
Capsule endoscopy gives specialists many images of the internal surfaces of the intestine with a frequency of 2 frames per second. It is worth noting that in just eight hours of continuous research, this device takes several tens of thousands of images and transfers this information to a special recording device, which is located on the patient’s belt.
Survey completion process
After the capsular endoscopy, the price of which is presented a little lower, is completed, the apparatus leaves the intestinal tract naturally. Those data that are recorded on the device are processed using a special computer program. A specialist (endoscopist) can see them on the screen of his own monitor, and then analyze and make an accurate diagnosis.
Research benefits
Compared with the usual examination of the gastrointestinal tract, capsular endoscopy has a huge number of positive aspects. Firstly, with such a miniature device, there is no need to enter the endoscope sequentially through the oral cavity, esophagus, stomach, etc. After all, this procedure is rather unpleasant and even painful. In addition, with the help of such a device, you can examine absolutely the entire digestive tract, including the small, rectum and large intestines.
Study disadvantages
Capsular endoscopy, reviews of which are more positive, has its drawbacks. For example, in the process of such a diagnostic study, it is impossible to take pieces of tissue (or a biopsy), as well as conduct any medical manipulations (remove the polyp, stop the detected bleeding, etc.). In addition, there is a small probability (0.5-10%) of a video capsule delay in the patient's digestive tract. In such situations, it is removed using a conventional endoscope or by surgery. It is also worth noting that capsular endoscopy, the price of which varies in the range of 1-2 thousand dollars, is not available to all patients.
How effective is the procedure?
Several years ago, laboratory studies of this technique on dogs were conducted. Many colorful beads were implanted into them, and then capsular and traditional endoscopy were alternately performed. After that, experts calculated that a new method for diagnosing intestinal diseases found more implanted beads than the usual one. Thus, these clinical studies have confirmed the effectiveness of capsular endoscopy.
It is worth noting that with this technique, the source of bleeding in the small intestine is quite clearly established, while traditional methods do not detect it at all.
How and where to do capsular endoscopy?
This procedure is carried out in many clinics, scientific and medical centers, as well as oncology dispensaries in our country. Like a traditional study, capsule also requires preparation. 12 hours before it, you can’t eat anything. Before the procedure, the patient is attached special sensors on the waist, and then he swallows the capsule and goes about his usual business. Exactly 4 hours after taking the “pill”, the patient can have lunch, but the food should be as light as possible. Next, the capsule comes out naturally, after which the patient returns the recording device to the doctor, who analyzes the data and makes a diagnosis. It should be noted that if a person felt uncomfortable during the procedure, then he should immediately consult a doctor.