Video capsule endoscopy (VCE)

A VCE allows us to see inside the small intestine (small bowel) and helps us to identify and diagnose any abnormalities.

A VCE involves swallowing a capsule the size of a large jellybean with a drink of water. This capsule contains a tiny camera and light.

As it travels through the digestive system, it transmits pictures of the lining of the gut to a recorder.

The test is carried out in the Gastroenterology Investigation Unit (GIU). Some children come to the GIU on the day of the test, but others are already staying at GOSH.

Please try getting your child to practise swallowing a large jellybean. If your child can’t do this, please let a nurse from the Gastroenterology Investigations Unit (GIU) know. Contact details are at the end of this leaflet.

If your child becomes unwell before the test, please call and let a nurse from the GIU know.

Your child should follow the liquid diet from 12pm (midday) the day before the test. A nurse will have called and explained this and you will be sent a food sheet with the admission letter.

Your child should not eat or drink anything except water from 10pm the night before the test. This helps make sure we can see the inner lining of the small intestine clearly.

• Please bring in any medicines that your child is taking.
• Your admission letter will inform you which ward to go. Please note that some patients will be asked to attend the GIU within Kingfisher ward, but other patients will need to go to another ward and then be transferred to the GIU.
• Once your child has been admitted to the GIU, a nurse will carry out some tests to ensure they’re fit for the procedure. These tests include checking their weight, blood pressure, and heart rate.
• The nurse will explain the procedure and answer any questions you may have. If you are happy to proceed with the VCE test, we will ask you to sign a consent form.

• The nurse will put eight electrodes or a specialised belt on your child’s stomach and connect them to the recorder. This recorder is carried in a bag or on a belt.
• Your child will be given the capsule to swallow with a drink of water.

• The camera will take pictures for about nine hours.
• Your child should continue with normal activities and be encouraged to walk during the nine hours.
• Due to the length of the test we suggest that you consider an activity outside of the hospital such as visiting a museum or spending time in park.
• Your child will need a light food diet whilst the test is taking place- the nurse will advise you on this on the day.
• The nurse will check the position of the capsule and remove the recorder when appropriate. You will be able to go home once the nurse has removed the recorder.
• The pictures will be transferred onto a computer and then reviewed and analysed by a clinician.

• After 48 hours, your child should have pooed the capsule out. The capsule is disposable, so you don’t need to return it to us. You can flush it down the toilet safely.
• If you don’t spot the capsule in your child’s poo after 48 hours, please phone the GIU nurses for further advice. Your child should not have an MRI scan until we are sure the capsule has been passed.

If you child develops:

• a high temperature
• feels unwell or sick
• has a stomach ache after the test which is different from their normal ache.

Please contact either your child’s GP during working hours or the nearest Accident and Emergency (A&E) department out of hours. Take the discharge summary with you as this has the details of the test. They will take an Xray to ensure that the capsule is passing through the bowel.

We will discuss the results of the test at your next outpatient appointment.

You can contact the Gastroenterology Investigation Unit (GUI) on 020 7405 9200 ext 0212/ 7916.

We are open Tuesday to Friday 8am-6pm.

If your call is not answered, please leave a message and a member of the team will return your call on the unit’s next working day.