3D reconstruction of small bowel lesions using stereo camera-based capsule endoscopy

Three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction of capsule endoscopic images has been attempted for a long time to obtain more information on small bowel structures. Due to the limited hardware resources of capsule size and battery capacity, software approaches have been studied but have mainly exhibited inherent limitations. Recently, stereo camera-based capsule endoscopy, which can perform hardware-enabled 3D reconstruction, has been developed. We aimed to evaluate the feasibility of newly developed 3D capsule endoscopy in clinical practice. This study was a prospective, single-arm, feasibility study conducted at two university-affiliated hospitals in South Korea. Small bowel evaluation was performed using a newly developed 3D capsule endoscope for patients with obscure gastrointestinal bleeding, suspected or established Crohn’s disease, small bowel tumors, and abdominal pain of unknown origin. We assessed the technical limitations, performance, and safety of the new capsule endoscope. Thirty-one patients (20 men and 11 women; mean age: 44.5 years) were enrolled. There was no technical defect preventing adequate visualization of the small bowel. The overall completion rate was 77.4%, the detection rate was 64.5%, and there was no capsule retention. All capsule endoscopic procedures were completed uneventfully. In conclusion, newly developed 3D capsule endoscopy was safe and feasible, showing similar performance as conventional capsule endoscopy. Newly added features of 3D reconstruction and size measurement are expected to be useful in the characterization of subepithelial tumours.