Video capsule
- What is a video capsule?
- Before the examination
- The examination
- After the examination
What is a video capsule?
If your doctor detects anaemia, this often points to an injury in the stomach or the large intestine. So a gastroscopy and/or a colonoscopy is performed first. If no cause is found, then the capsule is an efficient means of examining the small intestine. A video capsule views the interior of the small intestine. This capsule is no larger than a vitamin pill and contains
- a camera
- a small light
- two batteries
- a transmitter
- an antenna.
When you swallow the capsule, it ends up in the small intestine via the stomach. Here the camera takes photos for eight hours, at a rate of two photos per second. This results in over 50,000 images. The capsule cannot be reused and leaves the body unnoticed via your stools about two days after the examination.
The camera is able to detect the following disorders:
- small clusters of blood vessels (angiomas)
- ulcers and tumours
- A video capsule is an exploratory examination and does not provide any treatment. After the examination, an advanced endoscopy under anaesthetic or an operation may be necessary.
Inform your doctor in advance if you:
- Have previously had abdominal surgery. A narrowing of the gastrointestinal tract may impede the passage of the capsule.
- Have a pacemaker.
- Have an appointment for an MRI.
Before the examination
Food in the small intestine makes the photos unclear. Strict preparation is therefore essential.
- If you take iron preparations, you must discontinue these seven days before the examination. You can carry on taking blood thinners and other medication, unless the doctor recommends otherwise.
- Start a fibre-free diet three days before the examination. This means that you may no longer eat foods such as vegetables, fruit, potatoes, nuts, cereals, and brown bread.
- The day before the examination:
- you can eat something low in fibre at lunchtime. After this, you should not have anything to eat or drink.
- Drink a bottle of Eziclen, supplemented by water, at about 5 pm. You can obtain Eziclen from the pharmacist without a prescription. The package insert will provide more information about the use of Eziclen.
- After this, drink one litre of water or clear fluid.
- You can take your evening medication.
The examination
- On the day of your examination, you should report to the Gastroenterology consultation unit at 8.30 am, with an empty stomach. You must not have had anything to eat or drink, or taken any medication.
- The nurse attaches a belt around your abdomen and a recorder.
- You swallow the video capsule. The capsule is no larger than a vitamin pill.
- After this, you may leave the hospital. Two hours later, you may begin to drink. Four hours after swallowing the capsule, you may have a light meal and take your morning medication.
- At 4 pm you should report back to have the belt and the recorder removed. The images are uploaded to the computer.
After the examination
The capsule cannot be used again and leaves the body unnoticed via your stools after about two days. The results are not available immediately. They will be discussed with you during a subsequent consultation.