Capsule endoscopies can detect tumors in the small bowel that previously went undetected by other diagnostic technology, says a new study. In capsule endoscopy, the patient swallows a small capsule that contains a video camera and transmitter. As the capsule travels through the intestinal tract, it collects two images per second and transmits them to a recording device worn by the patient. Doctors then download and view the images.Researchers from the Mount Sinai Medical Center and the University of Miami School of Medicine found that capsule endoscopy detected tumors in the small bowel in 72 patients who had undergone an average of 4.6 negative evaluations. Of the tumors found using capsule endoscopy, 65 percent were malignant.
