Clinical impact of a newly developed capsule endoscope: usefulness of a real-time image viewer for gastric transit abnormality

Background A new capsule endoscope has been developed by Olympus Medical Systems. The visualization and usefulness of its real-time image viewer for gastric transit abnormality were evaluated by using this new device. Methods Thirty-seven consecutive patients were enrolled. In cases of gastric transit abnormality (gastric transit > 60 min, detected by the real-time viewer), intramuscular metoclopramide (10 mg) was administered. Diagnostic yield and gastric and small bowel transit times in ten patients receiving (group A) and 27 not receiving (group B) metoclopramide were analyzed. Results Median gastric transit time was longer in group A than in group B (110 vs. 24 min; P < 0.0001). Conversely, median small bowel transit time was shorter in group A than in group B (270 vs. 347 min; P < 0.05). Further, small bowel transit was complete in 9/10 patients (90%) in group A, and in 23/27 patients (85%) in group B, but the difference was not significant. Overall diagnostic yield was 78% (29/37 patients), and there was no significant difference in the ratio of abnormal findings documented between group A (8/10, 80%) and group B (21/27, 78%) patients. Conclusions This new technology allowed clear image interpretation, and the real-time viewer was useful for detecting gastric transit abnormalities and determining a need for metoclopramide administration in patients undergoing capsule endoscopy.