📷 Capsule Enterography

Easy Questions & Answers for Patients

❓ What is capsule enterography?

📷 Capsule enterography is a test where you swallow a tiny camera shaped like a pill.
The camera takes pictures as it travels through your small intestine.

The pictures help doctors see areas that regular scopes cannot reach.

❓ Does the capsule hurt?

👍 No. The capsule is easy to swallow and painless.
You do not feel it moving inside your body.

❓ Why is capsule enterography done?

🩺 Doctors use this test to look for problems in the small intestine, such as:

• 🩸 Bleeding

• 🧬 Blood vessel problems (AVMs)

• 🎯 Small bowel tumors

• 🤕 Unexplained anemia or belly pain

❓ What is a small bowel AVM?

🩸 An AVM (arteriovenous malformation) is an abnormal blood vessel.

AVMs can:

• Bleed slowly

• Cause low iron or anemia

• Be hard to find without a capsule test

❓ Why is this test used for bleeding?

🩸 Bleeding in the small intestine is hard to see with regular tests.

The capsule:

• Takes pictures of the entire small bowel

• Helps find the source of bleeding

• Guides further treatment

❓ What are small bowel tumors?

🎯 Small bowel tumors are abnormal growths in the small intestine.

They may cause:

• Bleeding

• Belly pain

• Weight loss

• Anemia

The capsule helps spot tumors early.

❓ How do I prepare for the test?

📋 Your doctor will give instructions. Usually:

• 🚫 Do not eat or drink for several hours before

• 💧 You may drink clear liquids

• 💊 Some medicines may be stopped

Follow instructions closely for clear pictures.

❓ What happens during the test?

⏱️ The test lasts about 8 hours.

• 💊 You swallow the capsule

• 📡 You wear a small recorder on a belt

• 🚶 You go about your day

• 📷 The capsule takes thousands of pictures

❓ What happens after the test?

🚽 The capsule passes naturally in your stool, usually within 1–3 days.
You do not need to retrieve it.

The doctor reviews the pictures and discusses results with you.

❓ Are there any risks?

⚠️ Capsule enterography is very safe.

Rare risks include:

• Capsule getting stuck (usually in people with narrowing)

Your doctor checks risk before the test.

❓ When should I call my doctor?

📞 Call if you have:

• Severe belly pain

• Vomiting

• Trouble swallowing the capsule

• Capsule does not pass after several days

🩺 Key Messages

✅ Capsule enterography is safe and painless
✅ It helps find bleeding, AVMs, and tumors in the small intestine
✅ It gives doctors clear pictures to guide treatment