The Department of Endoscopy is pleased to announce the acquisition of the latest technology for diagnosing diseases and pathologies of the digestive system such as heartburn and Crohn’s disease. The new technologies are called Capsule Endoscopy and the Bravo pH Monitoring System. South Pointe Hospital is the only community hospital in the area offering these advanced technologies for digestive testing and diagnosis.

Capsule endoscopy now makes painless endoscopic imaging of the entire small bowel possible, and is now considered the primary procedure for diagnosis of small bowel abnormalities. Previously, studies of the small bowel involved a difficult, lengthy, often painful procedure. Capsule endoscopy can help to determine the cause for recurrent or persistent symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, bleeding or anemia leading to the diagnosis of gastrointestinal diseases, such as inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn’s disease, irritable bowel syndrome and small bowel tumors and cancers.

The system consists of three units: the capsule/transmitter, the receiver/recorder and the computer workstation. The patient swallows an endoscopic capsule about the size of a large vitamin. The capsule is a digital camera and transmitter. It obtains approximately 50,000 images over an eight-hour time period by taking two images per second as it travels through the digestive system. These pictures are transmitted to a recording device worn on a special belt around the patient’s waist. After eight hours, the data is downloaded from the receiver/recorder to a computer workstation, ready for interpretation by the physician. The images offer clear and detailed visualization of intestinal structures. The one-use capsule is designed to pass harmlessly in a normal bowel movement.

The second new technology in the Endoscopy Department is the Bravo pH Monitoring System. This system offers a more patient-friendly, more accurate way of evaluating esophageal reflux (heartburn) and gastric esophageal reflux disease (GERD). Esophageal pH monitoring is the most sensitive method of directly detecting, quanitifying and diagnosing esophageal reflux. It is traditionally done by passing a pH probe (catheter) through the patient’s nostril to the esophagus. This probe hangs out of the patient’s nose during the test. Wires from the probe attach to a data logger connected to the patient. This test takes approximately 24 hours to complete.

The Bravo pH monitoring system involves a miniature radiotelemetry pH capsule (about the size of a gelcap) attached to the wall of the patient’s esophagus. The capsule is attached using a loading device following an upper endoscopy to ensure proper placement. The capsule transmits data to a pager-sized receiver attached to a patient’s belt. The patient can maintain all normal activities, as well as eat a normal diet. The patient maintains a diary of symptoms during this time. When the test is completed, the data is downloaded from the receiver to a computer for interpretation by the physician. Several days after the test, the capsule naturally falls away from the esophagus and passes through the digestive tract.