Current and future use of esophageal capsule endoscopy

Abstract

Capsule endoscopy can be a diagnostic option for patients with esophageal diseases who cannot tolerate esophagogastroduodenoscopy. Functional modifications of the capsule allow for thorough examination of the esophagus. Esophageal capsule endoscopy has so far failed to show sufficient performance to justify the replacement of traditional endoscopy for the diagnosis of esophageal diseases because the esophagus has a short transit time and common pathologies appear near the esophagogastric junction. However, technological improvements are being introduced to overcome the limitations of capsule endoscopy, which is expected to become a good alternative to conventional endoscopy.