Current Controversies Concerning Capsule Endoscopy

Video capsule endoscopy became a reality in 2001. This device enabled us to directly view the mucosa of the small intestine for the first time. The main indications for the video capsule remain the detection of small intestinal bleeding and iron deficiency anemia, diagnosis and management of Crohn’s disease, and detection of tumors. The device is extraordinarily safe and can be used in the very young to the very old. However, there remain several areas of controversy and difficulty. These are covered in this article and include details of indications and contraindications, whether to prepare patients, whether or not to use simethicone and prokinetics. Detection of location of the capsule remains a major engineering challenge. Reading the videos reliably and quickly remains challenging. However, artificial intelligence and machine learning are already on the horizon to provide assistance. New uses for capsule endoscopy promise more accurate diagnosis and hence improved management of acute gastrointestinal bleeding. The colon capsule may eventually help those who refuse conventional colonoscopy, and robotically controlled capsules may be helpful in screening for serious disease in patients with upper abdominal complaints. The advent of the broadening use of video capsule endoscopy is, though it will be controversial, embraced by some and derided by others; such is the nature of technological development. In the long run, if the use of the video capsule, based on sound evidence-based studies, can be shown to improve the care of our patients and reduce the cost of health care, its use will continue to expand.