A/Prof David van der Poorten
Dr Roslyn Vongsuvanh
  Professor Golo Ahlenstiel
Dr Way Siow & Dr Rishi Sud
Email: admin@sydneynwgastro.com.au
Appointments & Enquiries:  (02) 8711 0160

Capsule Endoscopy and Enteroscopy


Capsule Endoscopy



Capsule endoscopy (sometimes known as Pillcam) is a procedure used to diagnose and monitor diseases of the small intestine with a small, disposable, pill sized camera. We use the MiroCam MC1200, a next generation HD capsule that provides exceptional image quality, a 170 degrees field of view and class leading battery life of over 12 hours. The pill is smaller than market competitors and hence easier to swallow.


Because of recent changes to the MBS that reduced the benefit for this procedure by over 1/3, we have been forced to charge a small gap for capsule endoscopy; $100 for our patients, and $200 for externally referred patients. As per MBS rules our patients will pay $1264.30 and external patients $1364.30, with $1164.30 refunded by medicare usually within 1-2 business days.


Where is the small intestine (small bowel)?

The small intestine starts after the stomach and comprises the 4 parts of the duodenum, the jejunum and the ileum. It measures close to 6m in length. Gastroscopy examines the oesophagus, stomach and first two parts of the duodenum, while colonoscopy examines the entire large bowel (colon) and up to 10cm of the terminal ileum. Capsule endoscopy examines the rest without the need for hospitalization or sedation.


How is it done?

Capsule endoscopy uses a vitamin sized capsule which contains a tiny HD camera, batteries, LED light and transmitter. The capsule is swallowed with a sip of water and travels through the entire intestine taking multiple images per second. By the end of the procedure up to 100,000 images may have been captured and transmitted to a data recorder that is worn around the waist the entire time. At some point in the following day or days the capsule is passed out and can be safely flushed away.


Why is it done?

Capsule endoscopy is used to locate possible sources of bleeding within the small intestine when gastroscopy and colonoscopy have excluded blood loss from another location. Common indications include iron deficiency anaemia, unexplained melaena (black tarry motions due to altered blood) and obscure abdominal pain. The procedure can be used to exclude and to track small bowel tumours and to determine the severity of Crohn's disease of the small intestine.


Preparing for the procedure

You should fast (no food or drinks) for 8 hours before undergoing capsule endoscopy. Diabetics should withhold their diabetic medication during the fasting period. If you take insulin, you may need to reduce the dose. Please discuss this with us. From 6pm the evening prior to the procedure you will be on a clear fluid diet with no solid food. Around 8pm you will take one sachet of picoprep to clean the small bowel. Strongly coloured foods and iron tablets should be avoided for 24 hours before the examination. Fasting is from midnight onwards.


What happens during the procedure?

On the day of the procedure, a harness, holding the data recorder, is worn for 8 hours after the capsule is swallowed. Gentle activity is encouraged while wearing the harness as this will aid the progress of the capsule. No fluids should be taken for 2 hours after the capsule is swallowed and solid food is not permitted to be eaten for 4 hours afterwards. Do not swallow chewing gum during the examination. A glass of water is permitted when swallowing the capsule and a substance called 'simethicone' is added to this to prevent 'bubbles' which can interfere with the picture transmitted by the capsule. Just prior to swallowing the capsule you will also take a tablet of metaclopromide (maxolon/pramin) which helps the capsule to leave the stomach. Please let us know if you are allergic to this medication and it will be avoided.


What happens after the procedure?

Eight hours after the capsule is swallowed, you will return to my office to have the belt removed. The information from the data recorder is downloaded onto a computer and the images are composed into a video to be examined by the doctor. The capsule is single use only and does not need to be retrieved. The capsule passes naturally in a stool within 1-3 days. Most patients are not aware it has passed. The capsule doesn't need to be retrieved and can be safely flushed down the toilet.


Are there any risks?

Capsule endoscopy is a very safe procedure. Complications of capsule endoscopy are very infrequent. The capsule has a gel coating which makes it easy to swallow. Less than 1 patient in 100 has difficulty swallowing the capsule. Approximately 1 in 100 patients retain the capsule in the bowel. This may occur if the bowel is narrowed or has some other unusual anatomy. Usually the capsule will eventually pass. On rare occasions it will need to be removed endoscopically or surgically. The obstructing lesion can be corrected at the same time. If bowel narrowing is suspected your doctor may suggest an initial trial with a dissolvable (Patency) capsule. On the day of the test, approximately 1 in 10 patients may have a slow small bowel transit and the capsule may not be seen to reach the large bowel. An abdominal X-ray may then be arranged to check that the capsule has passed out of the bowel. While wearing the harness and data recorder we advise you to stay away from large radio transmitters (e.g. TV transmission towers) and not to visit airports where the harness could trigger security screening equipment. You must not have an MRI scan until the capsule has passed from your body.


Adapted from GESA DHF guidelines.


* Capsule endoscopy is currently reimbursed by the MBS (medicare) for the investigation of obscure gastrointestinal blood loss following prior gastroscopy and colonoscopy.


Normal GI anatomy as seen through the Capsule


Pill cam
JB   00-37-57   2011033s
pill cam
Pill Cam
Pill Cam





Enteroscopy involves the use of a long endoscope for targeted diagnosis and treatment of diseases within the small intestine. The most commonly performed procedure is a "push enteroscopy" where an endoscope up to 2 metres in length is inserted from the mouth into the jejunum. This type of procedure can reach 1-2 metres into the small bowel and allows diathermy of bleeding points, biopsies and Polypectomy. From the perspective of the patient this procedure is simply like a long gastroscopy and does not require any bowel preparation.


SIngle Balloon Enteroscopy

We also offer a more specialised procedure called single balloon enteroscopy that allows deeper access into the upper small bowel (jejunum) and the lower small bowel (ileum). A sheath with an inflatable balloon is placed over a very long and flexible scope allowing gentle concertinaing of the intestine to get further inside. The majority of bleeding points and intestinal abnormalities are now accessible for therapy. We have access to single balloon enteroscopy in the public and at Lakeview Private hospital. All procedures are no-gap billed.