<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>> Although the pill camera test is not a reliable indicator for the presence of Celiac, it's useful in diagnosing intestinal tumors, crohn's and obstructions. it requires swallowing a tiny video camera inside a pill capsule which records 2 images per second which are downloaded to a computer work station. the capsule is disposable and passed naturally through a bowel movement. it eliminates the extreme inconvenience of traditional endoscopies but you still have to do a 12 hour fast and can't eat for 4 hours after swallowing the capsule. it takes 50,000 images. it's contraindicated in people with a history of bowel obstruction, strictures or fistulas because it can become lodged and would require surgery to remove. it's not comprable to a colonoscopy because it only reviews the small intestine, not the colon. Steve ------------------------------------------------------------------------ FYI. Earlier today I got the Celiac Disease Center at Columbia's Newsletter and made one copy, then deleted it. There was a report of the Third International Conference on Capsule Endoscopy. It was held in Florida Feb. 29th to March 3rd. Dr. Green presented a paper of work done with Drs. Moshe Rubin and Andrea Culiford at Columbia University Medical Center. They indicated that there were 3 presentations related to the role of capsule endoscopy in the celiac disease. The Newsletter also had an announcement of another physician, Suzanne Lewis joining the Celiac Disease Center at Columbia. She has extensive clinical and endoscopic skills. You should be able to request a copy of the newsletter (or get more information) at [log in to unmask] ------------------------------------------------------------------------ I think Dr. Green has used these in some studies; I don't know if he does this for regular colonoscopy work. The only reason I know is that during a talk he described how the camera stays on even after it is passed, and you often get a last shot of the former bearer of the camera looking down into the bowl at it ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Dr. Peter Green, Director of the Celiac Disease Center at Columbia University is recognized for his work in video endoscopy, his office number is (212) 305-5590. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ reat Smokies Diagnostic Laboratories has a simple stool test that is 99% predictive for pre-cancerous colon polyps. This test originated in Norway & it identifies a chemical marker in the stool that is always present BEFORE cancer develops. It's only $100. That's what I plan on doing every two years from now on instead of those aweful colonoscopies. This test is non-invasive and proven to be more accurate than the colonoscopy in predicting colon cancer. Just find a naturopath or alternative doc in your area and get the to order this test for you. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ A reader asked about the pill camera virtual colonoscopy. The question itself confuses two technologies. Virtual colonoscopy is a newly emerging technique where a CT scan is done in a patient whose colon has been cleansed then given an air filling with a tube in the rectum. The CT images are used to look at the inside lining of the colon. The pill camera is a technique where a pill is swallowed and pictures are taken of the small intestine. The pill camera does not work for colon pictures because the pill tumbles too fast in the colon and big areas are missed. Stephen Holland, M.D. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Dr. George Nikias (they're out of the Hackensack Medical center by next door to the Hackensack Hospital) and his # is 201-489-7772. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ someone said "there are risks". apparently some people can be allergic to the pill. she wasn't very specific. * Please include your location in all posts about products *