Small Bowel Capsule Endoscopy: Normal Findings and Normal Variants of the Small Bowel

Abstract

Small bowel capsule endoscopy (SBCE) remains the gold standard for practice for the diagnosis of small bowel disorders. A rather challenging task, for those who start to use this diagnostic modality, is the recognition of the typical anatomic landmarks and the distinction of normal small bowel anatomy from abnormal findings. The reader of SBCE images may also often encounter unusual views of the normal anatomy as well as various artifacts that need to be distinguished from pathologic findings. Experience gained through standard endoscopy is invaluable to the interpretation of capsule examinations; however, formalized training and credentialing in reading competency are essential.

Keywords: Anatomic landmarks; Angioectasia; Artifacts; Bulges; Capsule endoscopy; Lymphangiectasias; Normal small bowel; Variants of normal.