Current status and future perspectives of capsule endoscopy

Article information

Intest Res. 2016;14(1):21-29

Publication date (electronic) : 2016 January 26

doi : https://doi.org/10.5217/ir.2016.14.1.21

¹Department of Internal Medicine, Jeju National University School of Medicine, Jeju, Korea.

²Department of Internal Medicine, Ewha Womans University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.

Correspondence to Ki-Nam Shim. Department of Internal Medicine, Ewha Womans University School of Medicine, 1071, Anyangcheon-ro, Yangcheongu, Seoul 07985, Korea. Tel: +82-2-2650-2632, Fax: +82-2-2655-2076, shimkn@ewha.ac.kr

Received 2015 June 08; Revised 2015 September 15; Accepted 2015 September 17.

Abstract

Small bowel capsule endoscopy (CE) was first introduced 15 years ago, and a large amount of literature has since been produced, focused on its indication, diagnostic yields, and safety. Guidelines that have made CE the primary diagnostic tool for small bowel disease have been created. Since its initial use in the small bowel, CE has been used for the esophagus, stomach, and colon. The primary indications for small bowel CE are obscure gastrointestinal bleeding, unexplained iron deficiency anemia, suspected Crohn's disease, small bowel tumors, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug enteropathy, portal hypertensive enteropathy, celiac disease, etc. Colon CE provides an alternative to conventional colonoscopy, with possible use in colorectal cancer screening. Guidelines for optimal bowel preparation of CE have been suggested. The main challenges in CE are the development of new devices with the ability to provide therapy, air inflation for better visualization of the small bowel, biopsy sampling systems attached to the capsule, and the possibility of guiding and moving the capsule by an external motion controller. We review the current status and future directions of CE, and address all aspects of clinical practice, including the role of CE and long-term clinical outcomes.

Keywords: Capsule endoscopy; Intestine, small; Current; Future

INTRODUCTION

Wireless capsule endoscopy (CE) was invented by Gavriel Iddan in the mid-1990s.1 Since its introduction in 2000, CE has revolutionized the diagnosis and treatment of various small bowel diseases. The field of CE has made tremendous advances over the past 15 years, and gastroenterologists have become skilled at advancing flexible video endoscopes into the upper and lower portions of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Small bowel CE is the best method for examining the full surface of the small bowel and is optimal for small bowel endoscopic imaging.2

The third-generation capsule was released in August 2014 (PillCam® SB3; Given Imaging, Yokneam, Israel). Other small-bowel capsules have been introduced since 2006 in Korea (MiroCam®; IntroMedic, Seoul, Korea), Japan (EndoCapsule®; Olympus, Tokyo, Japan) and China (OMOM®; Jinshan Science and Technology Company, Chongqing, China).3 A comparison among currently available CE devices is shown in Table 1.4 In a direct comparison in 83 patients, the PillCam and MiroCam showed similar efficacy for obscure gastrointestinal bleeding (OGIB) diagnosis. The study showed satisfactory diagnostic agreement between the two systems (κ=0.66).5 A similar comparison was performed between the MiroCam and the EndoCapsule in 50 patients; no statistical difference was found in their performance and the combined diagnostic yield was 58%.6 Given Imaging has also developed a double-headed esophageal capsule (PillCam Eso3) and a double-headed colonic capsule (PillCam Colon 2).

Table 1

Comparison Between Currently Available Capsule Endoscopy Systems

We review the current status and future directions of CE by addressing all aspects of clinical practice, including the role of CE according to 2013 and 2015 Korean Society of Gastroinestinal Endoscopy7 8 9 and 2015 European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ESGE) guidelines,10 as well as long-term clinical outcomes with special reference to Korean multicenter studies.

INDICATIONS FOR SMALL BOWEL CE

The major indications for small bowel CE are OGIB, unexplained iron deficiency anemia (IDA), CD, small bowel tumors, NSAID-induced enteropathy, portal hypertensive enteropathy (PHE), celiac disease, inherited polyposis syndromes, chronic abdominal pain, etc. (Table 2). The contraindications for CE are also presented in Table 2.

Table 2

Indications and Contraindications for Capsule Endoscopy

1. OGIB

OGIB refers to GI bleeding of undetermined origin that persists or recurs despite negative upper GI endoscopy or colonoscopy. Approximately 5% of GI bleeding cases are attributed to OGIB.11 OGIB originates in the small bowel in more than 80% of cases.12 It is "overt" when there are signs of bleeding such as hematochezia or melena; it is "occult" with a positive fecal occult blood test, or when IDA is presumed to be caused by GI blood loss.13

The Korean Gut Image Study Group published guidelines for OGIB in 2013.7 These guidelines proposed methods for diagnosis and management of OGIB (Fig. 1). According to the guidelines, CE is an effective initial diagnostic method for evaluating patients (strong recommendation, moderate quality evidence). Diagnostic yield is improved by performing CE early in OGIB (strong recommendation, moderate quality evidence). The 2015 ESGE guidelines also recommends performing small bowel CE as soon as possible after a bleeding episode, ideally within 14 days, in patients with OGIB (strong recommendation, moderate quality evidence).10

Fig. 1

Korean Gut Image Study Group guidelines for proposed approach to diagnosis and management of obscure gastrointestinal bleeding.7 Dashed arrows indicate less-preferred options. GI, gastrointestinal; EGD, esophagogastroduodenoscopy; CE, capsule endoscopy; CTE, CT enterography; DE, deep enteroscopy; PE, push enteroscopy; SB, small bowel; IOE, intraoperative enteroscopy.

A recent Korean multicenter study using a nationwide registry (n=305) demonstrated that CE did not have a significant impact on the long-term outcome of patients with OGIB.14 Patients with angiodysplasia on CE or with OGIB for >3 months had independent prognostic factors associated with rebleeding. Discontinuation of drugs was necessary to reduce the rebleeding risk in patients who were taking anticoagulants.

CE benefits are visualization of the entire small bowel, noninvasiveness, safety, and high diagnostic yield. Its limitations, however, are that no biopsies accompany the test, accurate location of the source of bleeding can be difficult, and there is a risk of capsule retention.13 Compared with CE, double balloon enteroscopy (DBE) is more invasive, can be laborious, and requires sedation. Learning to perform DBE is also time-consuming.15 Complications include acute pancreatitis, small bowel perforation, and ileus.16 17 The literature also indicates a similar diagnostic yield for CE (62%) and DBE (56%).18 The diagnostic yield for DBE, however, is significantly higher in patients with a positive vs. negative CE (75.0% vs. 27.5%).18 According to the Korean Gut Image Study Group guidelines,7 CE and DBE provide similar diagnostic yield in patients with OGIB (strong recommendation, low quality evidence). CE is recommended before DBE for the diagnosis of patients with OGIB (strong recommendation, low quality evidence).

2. IDA

IDA occurs in 2%–5% of adult males and postmenopausal females in developed countries and is a common reason for referral to gastroenterologists.19 In 70%–80% of patients, bidirectional endoscopy identifies the cause of IDA. When this is negative, the small bowel is a possible target for further investigation.19 CE has advantages over barium radiography, enteroclysis, and push enteroscopy, and is better for diagnosing clinically significant small bowel pathology resulting in IDA. In elderly patients with IDA, angioectasia is one of the most commonly identified lesions by CE.20 The diagnostic yield of CE for IDA was reported to progressively increase with age, especially in patients over 85 years of age. In patients with IDA, the ESGE recommends that all the following steps are performed prior to small bowel CE: a complete medical history, upper endoscopy with duodenal and gastric biopsies, and ileocolonoscopy (strong recommendation, low quality evidence).10

According to a recent study of CE in premenopausal females (n=131) with IDA compared with that in males (n=118) and postmenopausal females (n=80), diagnostic yield of CE for IDA was 44.6%.21 Diagnostic yield was 50.8% vs. 38.9% in males vs. females (P =0.05), and was 55.0% vs. 13.7% in postmenopausal vs. premenopausal females (P <0.001). In the etiological study of IDA, the diagnostic yield of CE was low in premenopausal females, and there is no cost-effectiveness in relation to clinical impact. The most common findings in the postmenopausal group were angioectasias (70.5%), and erosions (57.1%) were most common in the premenopausal group.21 Regarding the factors possibly associated with diagnosis of IDA patients, a favorable association between increase in diagnostic yield of CE and age and severity of anemia has been found.22 23 However, due to relevant findings in young patients, age cannot be the only criterion for patient selection.24

3. CD

At present, no index for diagnosis of CD exists. While the presence of clinical symptoms remains an important factor in the diagnostic process, abdominal pain or chronic diarrhea alone rarely lead to identification of clinically significant small bowel lesions on CE.25 More predictive clinical markers of small bowel CD include weight loss,26 increased inflammatory markers,27 28 perianal disease,29 and fecal calprotectin levels.30 31

According to the 2015 Korean guidelines, CE is the most accurate diagnostic tool for detecting mucosal lesions in suspected or established CD (strong recommendation, low evidence).9 Small bowel radiological examinations or patency capsules are recommended prior to CE for evaluating patients with suspected or established CD (strong recommendation, low quality evidence). In patients highly suspect for CD, CE is a useful diagnostic indicator following negative ileocolonoscopy and small bowel radiologic examination (weak recommendation, low quality evidence).

Ileocolonoscopy is recommended (ESGE 2015) as the first endoscopic examination to investigate patients with suspected CD (strong recommendation, high quality evidence).10 CE is also recommended to rule out CD in patients with negative ileocolonoscopy and absence of stenosis or obstruction (strong recommendation, moderate quality evidence). Routine small bowel imaging or PillCam® patency capsule use prior to CE is not recommended (strong recommendation, low quality evidence). A recent prospective study confirmed that CE was superior to small bowel follow-through and the same as ileocolonoscopy in determining small bowel inflammation in patients with suspected CD; this study also suggested that CE can be used to establish the diagnosis of CD in patients with proximal small bowel inflammation, when ileocolonoscopy is negative.32

Inflammation, extent of disease, and presence of strictures are three determinants of small bowel pathology in CD. The capsule endoscopy Crohn's disease activity index (CECDAI) score evaluates the proximal as well as distal segments of the small bowel according to capsule transit time, as validated by a recent multicenter prospective study.33 34 The Lewis score,35 the use of which has also recently been validated,36 is based on the presence and distribution of ulceration, villous edema, and stenosis. These systems are used for quantitative description of distribution and severity of mucosal lesions, but cannot be used as a diagnostic tool.37

Capsule retention risk in patients with suspected CD in the absence of obstructive symptoms or known stenosis without history of small bowel resection is low (~1.6%), and comparable to that of OGIB.38 39 40 However, capsule retention risk increases to approximately 13% in patients with known CD.38 39 40 41 42 In 27%–40% of patients with known CD, findings of small bowel stenosis upon CT enterography or MR enterography may preclude subsequent CE,43 but not all strictures actually result in significant mechanical obstruction. Therefore, the use of the PillCam® patency capsule may help identify patients at increased risk of capsule retention.44 The PillCam® patency capsule is currently not available in Korea, but is expected to be commercially available next year.

4. Small Bowel Tumors

Most small bowel tumors are detected during work-up of OGIB or IDA, but represent only about 3.5%–5.0% of these patients.45 The 2015 ESGE recommends early use of small bowel CE in the search for a small bowel tumor when OGIB and IDA are not explained otherwise (strong recommendation, moderate quality evidence).10 Consideration of DBE is recommended (ESGE) over small bowel CE if prior imaging tests have demonstrated suspicion of small bowel tumor (strong recommendation, low quality evidence).

According to a multicenter Korean study conducted by the Korean Gut Image group,46 CE was used in 57 (4.3%) of 1,332 patients to diagnose small bowel tumors. OGIB was the most frequent indication for CE in malignant tumors, followed by abdominal pain and weight loss. CE effectively identified small bowel tumors otherwise undetectable by conventional radiological studies (diagnostic impact =52.6%) with significant impact on the therapeutic course (therapeutic impact =12.3%). Although the manifestations of small bowel tumors are mostly subclinical, small intestinal bleeding might be the most common symptom. CE proved significantly superior in diagnostic accuracy over radiological procedures for small tumors, especially those 1 cm in size or less.46

A retrospective analysis demonstrated that a proposed tumor score composed of mucosal disruption, bleeding, an irregular surface, white villi, and color were helpful to identify small bowel tumors.47 Cross-sectional imaging is recommended (ESGE) to determine operability in CE of small bowel tumors of high diagnostic certainty. In indefinite diagnosis of small bowel tumors by CE, biopsy sampling by DBE is required (strong recommendation, low quality evidence).10

5. NSAID-Induced Enteropathy

The injurious effects of NSAIDs on the small bowel were not fully understood until the widespread use of CE. It is estimated that over two-thirds of regular NSAID users develop small intestinal injuries and that these are more common than gastroduodenal mucosal injuries. Recently, chronic low-dose aspirin consumption was found to be associated with injury to the lower gut and to be a significant contributing factor in small bowel hemorrhage, ulceration, and strictures. 48 NSAID-induced enteropathy has recently become a topic of great interest to gastroenterologists, as CE and DBE are available for detecting small bowel lesions.

According to a Korean multicenter retrospective study (n=140) based on the CE nationwide database registry,49 the most common findings were multiple ulcerations (58.6%) and erosions or aphthae (22.9%). During the follow-up period (mean, 15.9±19.0 months), NSAID-induced small intestinal injury only recurred in six patients (4.3%). Older age and hypertension were positive predictive factors for recurrence.

6. PHE

PHE is a mucosal abnormality of the small bowel that is observed in cirrhosis patients with portal hypertension.50 A recent Korean retrospective multicenter study (n=45) utilizing the Capsule Endoscopy Nationwide Database Registry revealed the prevalence of PHE to be 40%.51 In a comparison of PHE and non-PHE groups, angiodysplasias were found in 55.7% (vs. 7.4%, P=0.001) and varices in 38.9% (vs. 0%, P=0.001). Based on abdominal CT findings, six secondary changes due to portal hypertension resulted in a total CT score of 0–6, with a high CT score (≥3 vs. <3, P=0.004) significantly associated with PHE. Another recent large study (n=134) reported PHE in 91 (68%) cases, erythema in 70 (52%), erosions in 25 (19%), angioectasia in 24 (18%), villous edema in 18 (13%), and varices in 10 (7%).52 Most lesions were located in the jejunum. Clinical characteristics associated with PHE included Child-Pugh grade of B or C, esophageal varices, portal hypertensive gastropathy, portosystemic shunts, ascites, and portal thrombosis. The presence of a portosystemic shunt was an independent predictor of PHE (OR, 3.15; 95% CI, 1.27–7.95).

7. Celiac Disease

Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder characterized by an increased immunological response to gluten; prevalence rates in American and European populations are estimated at 0.2%–1.0%.53 54 The usual diagnostic test for celiac disease is upper endoscopy with duodenal biopsies and small bowel histology to demonstrate the presence of villous atrophy (VA).55 There has been increasing interest in the role of CE in celiac disease. CE, due to its 8-fold magnification power over the dissecting microscope, can detect VA and other small bowel complications in celiac disease. In studies of the diagnostic utility of CE for VA of celiac disease, the sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of CE were 70%–100%, 64%–100%, 96%–100% and 71%–93%, respectively.56 57 58 59 It is rare in Asian countries, but a case of a 36-year-old woman was reported in Korea.60 CE and enteroscopy showed VA and blunting of villi from the duodenum. Small bowel pathology showed VA with lymphocyte infiltration. However, CE alone is probably insufficient to confirm a diagnosis, as endoscopic markers are not specific to celiac disease.61

The use of small bowel CE for suspected celiac disease is strongly discouraged (ESGE); however, CE may be useful in patients unwilling or unable to undergo conventional endoscopy (strong recommendation, low quality evidence).10 Small bowel CE is unacceptable in assessing the extent of disease or response to a gluten-free diet (strong recommendation, low quality evidence).

8. Inherited Polyposis Syndromes

Surveillance of the proximal small bowel in familial adenomatous polyposis according to ESGE guidelines is best performed by using conventional forward-viewing and side-viewing endoscopes (strong recommendation, moderate quality evidence).10 Indications for small bowel investigation in familial adenomatous polyposis include small bowel CE and/or cross-sectional imaging techniques for identifying polyps in the rest of the small bowel (ESGE); clinical relevance, however, remains to be demonstrated (weak recommendation, moderate quality evidence).

9. Unexplained Chronic Abdominal Pain

CE provides a noninvasive diagnostic tool for patients with unexplained chronic abdominal pain, but the diagnostic yield is limited (20.9%). Among patients with positive findings, inflammatory lesions are the most common.62 According to a Korean multicenter study, diagnostic yield of CE may be increased by abdominal pain accompanied by weight loss.20 Multivariate analysis showed weight loss was a significant risk factor for positive findings of CE. However, no relationship was found with ESR, CRP, or albumin level. According to a Greek study of chronic abdominal pain,63 the overall diagnostic yield of CE was 44.4%, but was significantly higher in patients with abdominal pain plus positive inflammatory markers, and was 66.7% for those without diarrhea and 90.1% for those with diarrhea. In both types of analyses, abnormal CRP and ESR were significantly correlated with positive CE findings.

OPTIMAL BOWEL PREPARATION FOR SMALL BOWEL CE

During CE, small bowel visualization quality (SBVQ), diagnostic yield, and cecal completion rate (CR) are influenced by several factors, including air bubbles, food material in the small bowel, and delayed gastric and small bowel transit time. Therefore, bowel preparation before CE is as essential as bowel preparation before colonoscopy. The Korean Gut Image Study Group published guidelines for bowel preparation in 2013.8 According to the guidelines, polyethylene glycol (PEG) bowel preparation enhances diagnostic yield and SBVQ, without effect on cecal CR. A 2-liter PEG solution bowel preparation is similar to that of a 4-L PEG solution in diagnostic yield, SBVQ, and CR of CE. Bowel preparation by fasting or PEG solution, when combined with simethicone, enhances SBVQ, but does not affect CR of CE. Bowel preparation using prokinetics does not enhance the SBVQ, diagnostic yield, or CR of CE. A 2-L PEG-based purge, administered one day prior, is the most commonly used preparation method.64 To date, there has been no consensus regarding optimal timing of bowel preparation for small bowel CE.65 Therefore, a large, multicenter randomized controlled trial is needed to clarify the optimal timing of bowel preparation for small bowel CE. Guidelines for timing of CE bowel preparation are required in the near future.

PROGRESS AND TECHNICAL CHALLENGES IN CE OF THE ENTIRE DIGESTIVE TRACT

Since CE is non-invasive, it has been applied to other organs, including the esophagus, stomach, and colon.66 Main indications for esophageal CE include screening for gastroesophageal reflux disease, Barrett's esophagus, and varices; clinical benefit is, however, unconfirmed.

The stomach is a large luminal organ. CE cannot examine the entire gastric wall just by passive movement of CE. Several small pilot studies of CE in the esophagus or stomach using magnetic manipulation have been reported.67 68 69 70 71

Colon CE is one alternative to conventional colonoscopy in symptomatic patients, with a promising potential role in colorectal cancer screening. According to a meta-analysis of the first-generation PillCam COLON, the capsule's sensitivity for detecting patients with polyps and significant colonic findings compares favorably with other colorectal cancer imaging strategies such as CT colonography (CTC) or barium enema.72 Recent preliminary data suggest that colon CE is a reasonable method for visualization of colon mucosa in patients with incomplete colonoscopy but without stenosis. According to a recent study of colon CE vs. CTC in patients with incomplete colonoscopy, colon CE and CTC demonstrated similar utility for completing colon evaluation after an incomplete study.73 Diagnostic yield of colon CE overall was superior to CTC.

The Agile patency capsule (Given Imaging, Yokneam, Israel) precedes CE to avoid retention of CE. Recently, the radiofrequency identification (RFID) tagless patency capsule was introduced into clinical practice. Use of the tagless capsule confirmed GI tract patency in patients without stenosis on an imaging study, and permitted estimation of the patency in patients with stenosis on imaging.74

FUTURE DIRECTIONS OF CE: WHAT TOOLS DO WE NEED IN CLINICAL PRACTICE

The main challenges in CE are the development of new devices with the ability to provide therapy, air inflation for better visualization of the small bowel, biopsy sampling systems attached to the capsule, and the possibility of guiding and moving the capsule by an external motion controller. Currently, localization is the primary limitation of CE to overcome. Based on transit time, recently proposed software and hardware will offer a solution.75

CONCLUSIONS

CE has advanced considerably since the small bowel capsule was introduced 15 years ago. CE is no longer just for the small bowel. With the advancement of CE technology, the indications for use will expand gradually and diagnostic yield will improve. The investigation of the esophagus, stomach, and colon will be feasible and safe, and will offer benefits in terms of patient preference.

Notes

Financial support: None.

Conflict of interest: None.

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Capsule endoscopy	PillCam SB3® Given Imaging	MiroCam® Intromedic Company	EndoCapsule® Olympus Japan	OMOM® Jinshan Science and Technology

Size (mm)
Length	26.2	24.5	26.0	27.9
Diameter	11.4	10.8	11.0	13.0
Weight (g)	3.00	3.25-4.70	3.50	6.00
Battery life (hr)	8 or longer (max. 15)	12	8 or longer	6-8 or longer
Resolution	340×340 30% better than SB2	320×320	512×512	640×480
Frames per second (fps)	2 or 2-6	3	3	2
Field of view (°)	156	170	145	140
Communication	Radio frequency communication	Human body communication	Radio frequency communication	Radio frequency communication

Indications	Contraindications
Obscure gastrointestinal bleeding	Absolute contraindications
Iron deficiency anemia	Clinical or radiographic evidence of relevant bowel obstruction
CD	Extensive and acute CD of the small bowel with obstruction
Small bowel tumors	Intestinal pseudo-obstruction
NSAID-induced enteropathy	Relative contraindications
Portal hypertensive enteropathy	Cardiac pacemakers or other implanted electromedical devices
Celiac disease	Dysphagia
Inherited polyposis syndromes	Previous abdominal or pelvic surgery
Unexplained chronic abdominal pain	Pregnancy
	Extensive intestinal diverticulosis