Introduction and objectives: Capsule endoscopy constitutes a non invasive method used for direct observation of the small bowel's mucosae and for recognizing possible injuries in it, such as the causes of obscure gastrointestinal hemorrhage and inflammatory diseases, for instance. The present study shows the experience obtained in a private hospital using capsule endoscopy for evaluating diverse intestinal pathologies.
Materials and methods: Ambulatory patients were evaluated, and the results analyzed in a retrospective, observational and transverse manner. The Given Imaging PillCam was used in all cases.
Results: Forty five cases were evaluated; 27 of them (60%) were female, 18 were male (40%). The mean age was 58.16, ranging from 18 to 84 years. Obscure gastrointestinal bleeding constituted the most common indication for undergoing capsule endoscopy; present in 32 patients (71.11% of the cases). Other indications were: chronic diarrhea 5 cases (11.11%), abdominal pain 3 cases (6.67%) and melena 3 cases (6.67%). 18 cases presented no anomaly (40%). The most frequent pathological findings were: erosions 10 cases (22.20%), vascular disorders 8 cases (17.76%) and polyps 6 cases (13.32%). No complications were presented during or after the procedures, although in two of the cases the capsule had to be inserted under endoscopic assistance with sedation.
Conclusions: Capsule endoscopy is an innocuous, safe method, useful in identifying causes of obscure gastrointestinal bleeding, which is the most common indication for the study, and in identifying diverse small bowel pathologies.