La videocapsula endoscopica

Video capsule endoscopy (VCE) is a new technique in which a disposable video capsule is swallowed by the patient. This allows visualization of the small bowel that is not reached by standard upper and lower endoscopy. The main current indication for capsule endoscopy is obscure digestive bleeding when standard upper endoscopy and colonoscopy examinations are negative. Investigation of patients with suspected NSAIDs-related intestinal lesions or familial polyposis has also been validated. In patients with suspected Crohn's disease, VCE shows intestinal lesions in a considerable number of patients. The introduction of video capsule endoscopy (VCE) must therefore be regarded as a significant advance in the investigation of intestinal diseases.