Current and future role of magnetically assisted gastric capsule endoscopy in the upper gastrointestinal tract.

Therap Adv Gastroenterol

Clinical Investigations Unit, Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Glossop Road, Sheffield S10 2JF, UK.

Published: May 2016

AI Article Synopsis

  • - Capsule endoscopy revolutionized the ability to see the small intestine, but researchers are now exploring its effectiveness for examining the upper gastrointestinal tract.
  • - One key approach is using external magnetic steering to guide a capsule endoscope within the stomach, which could enhance its diagnostic capabilities.
  • - Although initial studies show promise for this method, it still needs to be compared to the conventional gastroscopy, the current standard for diagnosing foregut issues.

Article Abstract

Capsule endoscopy first captivated the medical world when it provided a means to visualize the small bowel, which was previously out of endoscopic reach. In the subsequent decade and a half we continue to learn of the true potential that capsule endoscopy has to offer. Of particular current interest is whether capsule endoscopy has any reliable investigative role in the upper gastrointestinal tract. Much research has already been dedicated to enhancing the diagnostic and indeed therapeutic properties of capsule endoscopy. Specific modifications to tackle the challenges of the gut have already been described in the current literature. In the upper gastrointestinal tract, the capacious anatomy of the stomach represents one of many challenges that capsule endoscopy must overcome. One solution to improving diagnostic yield is to utilize external magnetic steering of a magnetically receptive capsule endoscope. Notionally this would provide a navigation system to direct the capsule to different areas of the stomach and allow complete gastric mucosal examination. To date, several studies have presented promising data to support the feasibility of this endeavour. However the jury is still out as to whether this system will surpass conventional gastroscopy, which remains the gold standard diagnostic tool in the foregut. Nevertheless, a minimally invasive and patient-friendly alternative to gastroscopy remains irresistibly appealing, warranting further studies to test the potential of magnetically assisted capsule endoscopy. In this article the authors would like to share the current state of magnetically assisted capsule endoscopy and anticipate what is yet to come.

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Source
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4830104PMC
http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1756283X16633052DOI Listing

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