Capsule endoscopy with the PillCam SB enables digestive health providers to examine your small intestine. The procedure allows physicians to visualize the entire small bowel without requiring sedation or lengthy, more invasive procedures.
Uses
PillCam SB is the most widely used, non-invasive tool for viewing the small bowel to detect and monitor abnormalities. By swallowing a vitamin-sized capsule, your provider can detect lesions, tumors, ulcers as well as potential sources of bleeding and Crohn’s disease.
What to Expect
When you arrive for your examination, your health provider will fit you with the PillCam sensor belt, worn over your clothing. You will then swallow the vitamin-sized capsule with a glass of water and can then resume most daily activities.
You will be scheduled to return to the physician's office with the sensor belt and the recorder so your physician can download images for review.
PillCam SB passes naturally with a bowel movement, usually in 24 to 72 hours.
Procedure Prep
You will receive written preparation instructions before the examination. In general, an empty stomach allows optimal viewing conditions, so you will need to begin a liquid diet the day prior to the examination. You should have nothing to eat or drink for approximately 10 hours before your procedure.
Click here for Northeast Digestive Health Center's complete PillCam prep instructions.
