Virtual Endoscopy

Gastroenterologists at Summerville Medical Center have a new diagnostic tool: the PillCam.
Now available at Summerville Medical Center, the PillCam consists of a capsule, about the size of a large multivitamin pill, with an embedded camera. When a colonoscopy or esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) proves inconclusive, the PillCam can be used to help diagnose esophageal, celiac or Crohn’s diseases, colon disorders and other conditions.
Benefits for Patients and Physicians
“This technology allows physicians to examine the interior of the small intestine and other areas that are difficult to view,” says Nancy Benson, R.N., interim director of surgical services at Summerville Medical Center. “The PillCam benefits patients by helping their physicians make the most accurate diagnoses possible.” (I am awaiting a call back from Nancy with her approval on this quote, which was originally attributed to Betty Hobeika, who is retiring February 13).
A patient swallows the capsule during a morning visit to his or her physician’s office and wears a sensor array and data recorder during the day. Eight hours later, the patient returns the sensing device to the facility, where color images are downloaded to a computer for study. The capsule passes naturally from the patient’s body within 24 hours.
Summerville Medical Center has two types of pill cameras: The PillCam ESO for the esophagus and the PillCam SB for the small bowel. The ESO captures 14 images per second and a total of 2,600 images as it journeys down the esophagus, while the slower-moving SB takes two images per second and makes 50,000 total images of the bowel.
“We are pleased to offer this service to our physicians and patients,” says PJ Johnson, CEO at Summerville Medical Center. “Much like our recent addition of digital mammography, PillCam is another advance in technology now available at SMC.”
For more information about PillCam, visit www.tridenthealthsystem.com and click on “Our Facilities,” then “Summerville Medical Center.”