Creighton University Medical Center is the first institution in Omaha to offer PillCam ESO, a camera-in-a-pill that allows doctors to evaluate and diagnose diseases of the esophagus including gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and Barrett's esophagus, a pre-cancerous condition. The PillCam ESO is a smooth plastic capsule with two tiny cameras, one at each end, capable of taking approximately 2,600 pictures (14 per second) of the esophagus. Images are transmitted from the PillCam ESO to a recording device. Less than 20 minutes, physicians have enough images to determine a diagnosis.

PillCam ESO is an alternative to traditional endoscopy, the most common procedure for examining the esophagus. Rather than advancing a long scope (endoscope) into the mouth and down the throat to the esophagus, many patients now only swallow a pill in the doctor's office. The pill is the size of a large vitamin.

Diseases that PillCam™ ESO diagnose:

• Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) occurs when the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) muscle malfunctions or does not close properly and stomach acid leaks back into the esophagus, causing a burning sensation in the chest or throat. Anyone experiencing heartburn twice a week or more may have GERD.
• Barrett’s Esophagus is a condition resulting from prolonged gastroesophageal reflux disease and is a risk factor for esophageal cancer.
• Esophagitis is inflammation of the esophagus.

PillCam™ ESO Procedure:

• The patient fasts for two hours before swallowing the PillCam™ ESO.
• The PillCam™ ESO is swallowed with water while the patient lies on his or her back.
• After swallowing the PillCam™ ESO, the patient is raised by 30-degree angles every two minutes over a six-minute ingestion period until he or she is sitting upright.
• The PillCam™ ESO makes its way through the esophagus in about three minutes.
• The images are transmitted to a recorder belt worn around the patient’s waist.
• The total procedure takes approximately 20 minutes.
• PillCam™ ESO is disposable and passes through the gastrointestinal (GI) tract naturally and painlessly, usually within 24 to 72 hours.

The PillCam™ ESO is not appropriate for people with swallowing disorders or with known or suspected gastrointestinal obstructions, strictures or fistulas. People with cardiac pacemakers or other implanted electromedical devices should not use the PillCam™ ESO.

To learn more about the PillCam, watch this video (requires Windows Media Player) that was aired on Channel 6 news in August 2005.