Question 1

what is the difference between a colonoscopy and a pillcam capsule endoscopy?

Accepted Answer

Direct vision vs. TV: In colonoscopy a scope is passed retrograde up  the colon after cleansing with a bowel prep. Air inflation dilates the bowel to aid visualization.  With the pill camera, the pill or capsule is swallowed and as it passes the pylorus to the small bowel, a TV image is transmitted to a camera and the passage of the pill is video copied to review any findings and visualize any small bowel lesions.

Question 2

i had a pillcam colonoscopy on monday, i feel ok but i know i have not passed the pill in my bms. can it get stuck without having symptoms?

Accepted Answer

Your treating: Gastroenterologist will most likely want to locate this device if it doesn't pass before your follow-up visit! A Plain film of your abdomen will locate it! Stop worrying about it!
Hope this helps!
Dr Z

Question 3

why does every doctor my husband sees refuse to use the pillcam?

Accepted Answer

Unsatisfactory: The test is evolving...not perfect yet.

Question 4

how accurate is the pillcam 2 endoscopy at detecting colon cancer?

Accepted Answer

: It is best for upper GI tract diagnosis. In general larger lesions can be seen more than 80 % of the time  samller less so

Question 5

had colonoscopy & pillcam - no view of cecum on either. no dx. lots of mucus in stool (occasionally only mucus), pain, early satiety, etc. what now?

Accepted Answer

Mucus: You could try an old fashioned barium enema to view the Cecum if it wasn't adequately viewed on colonoscopy. Your symptoms suggest irritable bowel syndrome with mucus colitis. Have you been tested for gluten intolerance or sensitivity? Have you tried the fodmap diet? Discuss these with your gastroenterologist or get a second opinion.

Question 6

does small bowel pillcam also look at large bowel? had done 2.5 years ago and was normal. colonoscopy of very bottom bit of bowel was normal, but they didn't look at the rest (calprotectin still raised, so worried about part not looked at?

Accepted Answer

Pillcam: There is a pillcam for visualization of the colon. I'm doubtful that your study 2.5 years ago visualized the colon. Your gastroenterologist can answer that question best.

Question 7

can bowel cancer symptoms remain mild for years? 3.5 years ago, calprotectin was 2000. had flexible sigmoid and pillcam of small bowel. all clear. calprotectin went down to 60. now it's back up to 2000. have to wait weeks for appointment. terrified?

Accepted Answer

?Inflamed bowel: Calprotectin in stool is biomarker for inflammatory bowel disease, can also be elevated with benign polyp or cancer. You are rather young to have colon cancer unless there is positive family history of polyposis coli or number of family members requiring surgical removal of colon. Discuss with your gastroenterologist who may advise repeat colonoscopy.

Question 8

how can chronic, overt obscure gi bleeding fail to cause anemia? took forever 2 get pillcam (found several small bowel avms) b/c never became anemic.

Accepted Answer

Well: I assume it's because the bleeding is so microscopic and trivial that your young healthy body was able to manufacture adequate red blood cells and keep up with your losses.

Question 9

3.5 years ago, calprotectin showed 200. then 2000. sigmoidoscopy & small bowel pillcam clear. calprotectin went down to 60. in 2019 it was 100. now it's 2000 again. does this sound more like ibd or cancer? i have an appointment but extremely scared?

Accepted Answer

Fecal calprotectin: You don't describe what symptoms you experience. The issue here is whether you have Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis. Calprotectin levels can fluctuate depending upon healing or  nonhealing  of lesions in inflammatory bowel disease when fecal levels are checked. I assume you're under the care of A gastroenterologist and he/she is in the best position to advise you.

Question 10

pillcam report: multiple avms + erythema in small bowel. lymphoid hyperplasia distal s/b. cecum erythema/avm as well. can't get in to discuss this w/gi for weeks. can someone help translate findings?

Accepted Answer

Angiodysplasia/AVM: Angiodysplasia is a degenerative lesion of previously healthy blood vessels found most commonly in the cecum and proximal ascending colon. Angiodysplasia is the most common vascular abnormality of the GI tract. After diverticulosis, it is the second leading cause of lower GI bleeding in patients older than 60 years.

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Doctor answers about:

Pillcam

A member asked:

What is the difference between a colonoscopy and a pillcam capsule endoscopy?

A member asked:

I had a pillcam colonoscopy on monday, i feel ok but i know i have not passed the pill in my bms. can it get stuck without having symptoms?

A member asked:

Why does every doctor my husband sees refuse to use the pillcam?

A member asked:

How accurate is the pillcam 2 endoscopy at detecting colon cancer?

A member asked:

Had colonoscopy & pillcam - no view of cecum on either. no dx. lots of mucus in stool (occasionally only mucus), pain, early satiety, etc. what now?

A member asked:

Does small bowel pillcam also look at large bowel? had done 2.5 years ago and was normal. colonoscopy of very bottom bit of bowel was normal, but they didn't look at the rest (calprotectin still raised, so worried about part not looked at?

A member asked:

Can bowel cancer symptoms remain mild for years? 3.5 years ago, calprotectin was 2000. had flexible sigmoid and pillcam of small bowel. all clear. calprotectin went down to 60. now it's back up to 2000. have to wait weeks for appointment. terrified?

A member asked:

How can chronic, overt obscure gi bleeding fail to cause anemia? took forever 2 get pillcam (found several small bowel avms) b/c never became anemic.

A member asked:

3.5 years ago, calprotectin showed 200. then 2000. sigmoidoscopy & small bowel pillcam clear. calprotectin went down to 60. in 2019 it was 100. now it's 2000 again. does this sound more like ibd or cancer? i have an appointment but extremely scared?

A member asked:

Pillcam report: multiple avms + erythema in small bowel. lymphoid hyperplasia distal s/b. cecum erythema/avm as well. can't get in to discuss this w/gi for weeks. can someone help translate findings?

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