Abstract
Swallowable wireless capsule endoscopy (CE) is a new diagnostic tool for the examination of gastrointestinal (GI) tract. PillCamTMSB (GIVEN Imaging, Israel) is the most popular tool at the present time and its most suitable indication is obscure GI bleeding. The other indications currently accepted are investigation of Crohn's disease, evaluation of the side effects of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and surveillance of hereditary polyposis syndrome. PillCam TMSB is widely used in the world but Japanese government does not allow it yet. Recently, a new CE for esophagus (PillCamTMSB) is developed and allowed in USA and Europe. CE for colon is under development and clinical trial of Japanese CE for small intestine has just started. Various type of CE will be developed and endoscopic diagnosis and treatment could be dramatically changed in the near future.
