Wireless capsule endoscopy

To promote the appropriate use of new or emerging endoscopic technologies and those technologies that have an impact on endoscopic practice, the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE) Technology Committee presents relevant information to practicing physicians in the form of technology reviews. Evidence-based methodology is used wherein a MEDLINE literature search is performed to identify pertinent clinical studies on the topic, a MAUDE (Manufacturer and User Facility Device Experience; Food and Drug Administration Center for Devices and Radiological Health) database search is performed to identify the reported adverse events of a given technology, and both are supplemented by accessing the related articles feature of PubMed and by scrutiny of pertinent references cited in the identified studies. Controlled clinical trials are emphasized, but in many cases data from randomized, controlled trials are lacking; in such cases, large case series, preliminary clinical studies, and expert opinion are used. Technical data are gathered from traditional and Web-based publications, proprietary publications, and informal communications with pertinent vendors. Reviews are drafted by one or two committee members, reviewed in significant detail by the committee as a whole, and approved by the Governing Board of the ASGE. When financial guidance is appropriate, the most recent coding data and list prices at the time of publication are provided. For this review, the MEDLINE database was searched through August 2012 for articles related to capsule endoscopy by using the keywords capsule endoscopy and wireless endoscopy plus esophageal disease, esophageal varices, small intestinal tumors, Barrett's esophagus, reflux, gastrointestinal bleeding, Crohn's disease, and celiac disease. Practitioners should continue to monitor the medical literature for subsequent data about the efficacy, safety, and socioeconomic aspects of these technologies.