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Colon Capsule Endoscopy – Shining the Light through the Colon

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Abstract

Purpose of Review

Colon capsule endoscopy (CCE) is a non-invasive, wireless capsule endoscope. In this article, we review its current applications, compare its performance with optical colonoscopy (OC) and alternative imaging modalities like CT colonography (CTC), and highlight developments that may increase potential future use.

Recent Findings

By comparison to OC both CCE and CTC have a good sensitivity and specificity in detecting colonic polyps. CCE is more sensitive in detecting sub centimetre polyps. CCE is capable of detecting colonic inflammation and anorectal pathologies, commonly missed by CTC. However, rates of complete CCE examinations are limited by inadequate bowel preparation or incomplete colonic transit, whereas CTC can be performed with less bowel purgatives. Patients tolerate CCE better than OC, however patient preference between CCE and CTC vary.

Summary

CCE and CTC are both reasonable alternatives to OC. Strategies to improve completion rates and adequacy of bowel preparation will improve cost and clinical effectiveness of CCE.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Academic Unit of Gastroenterology, Room P13, Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals, Glossop Road, Sheffield, UK

    Foong Way David Tai, Mark McAlindon & Reena Sidhu

  2. Department of Infection, Immunity and Cardiovascular Disease, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK

    Foong Way David Tai, Mark McAlindon & Reena Sidhu

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FWDT wrote the manuscript, MM and RS contributed to the editing and revision of the manuscript.

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Correspondence to Foong Way David Tai.

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Tai, F.W.D., McAlindon, M. & Sidhu, R. Colon Capsule Endoscopy – Shining the Light through the Colon. Curr Gastroenterol Rep 25, 99–105 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11894-023-00867-8

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