Capsule endoscopy can help visualize mucosal lesions in parts of the small intestine inaccessible to standard endoscopy from above or below. It should be used when the potential benefit justifies the cost.
Indications for capsule endoscopy of the small intestine:
(1) occult intestinal bleeding localized to the small intestine
(2) Crohn's disease
(3) monitoring a patient with a familial polyposis syndrome
(4) occult tumor, including intestinal lymphoma and carcinoid tumors
(5) identification of intestinal lesions associated with NSAIDS or other medication
