Small Bowel Enteroscopy

Small bowel enteroscopy allows physicians a direct look at the small intestine using a lighted flexible tube with a tiny camera that transmits pictures of the small intestine to a video screen. The doctor can examine the small intestine for ulcers, inflammation or disease. The physician can also take small samples (biopsy) of the tissue to look for infection, illness or early signs of cancer. During this procedure, patients receive a mild sedative and pain medication for comfort. Vital signs are monitored during the procedure. Small bowel enteroscopy is a visual examination of the small bowel to find a source of chronic bleeding or undiagnosed bleeding after standard endoscopic procedures have not identified a source.