Capsule Endoscopy Simplified-the title says it all! This recently published book has 132 pages of very easy-to-read information about the procedure of capsule endoscopy. According to one of the authors, this book was written to be the curriculum for learning capsule endoscopy so as to meet the needs of gastroenterology specialist training in the United States, where capsule endoscopy has become part of that training. Given imaging worldwide hosts hands-on capsule endoscopy training courses to provide clinicians with the skills to perform the procedure. In the preface by Dr Daniel Mishkin, the text is described as a quick reference text and the take-home edition of the capsule endoscopy course.

Nurses are also involved in capsule endoscopy procedures, holding various roles that differ between countries. In many centers, the nurse prepares the capsule for ingestion, applies the recording sensors to the patient, commences the recording, completes the recording, and uploads the data. In some centers, nurses will preview the video and the gastroenterologist will then perform the full data analysis and produce the report. There are some nurses who have had extended training in capsule endoscopy reporting who are also responsible for the data analysis and compilation of the final report on the procedure findings. This book would be of benefit to nurses learning the procedure but is not intended as an in-depth reference of findings for those involved in reporting.

Capsule endoscopy has rapidly evolved in the past decade since its introduction and most of the content in the book is up-to-date with current technology. The new capsule packaging has changed since this book was published. The advice in the book is not to place two capsules side-by-side, but the new supply packaging is a flat container of 2 rows of 5 capsules placed side-by-side. The new-generation Rapid software, which permits a networked setup of the system, is included and will encourage readers to provide this flexible reading option. The reference to the sensor belt, which in many centers has now replaced the application of the 8 individual sensors, as a thin disposable band similar to those used for heartbeat monitors is not accurate. The sensor belts are reused with the external belt pouch made of material that is washable.

There are some helpful clinical hints for performance of the procedure, particularly in relation to instructions to encourage capsule passage in hospitalized patients who are at risk of delayed gastric emptying. The recognition of slow transit confounding the result of an Agile patency capsule study performed to identify increased risk of capsule retention has led one author to recommend the administration of a cathartic in those procedures. The clinical expertise of the authors with this procedure is evident throughout the book.

The full-color images provide excellent demonstration of the points in the text. In the content that covers other small intestinal evaluations, illustrations would have aided an understanding of the "different" types of enteroscopy, particularly for nurses who are not involved in these procedures. The book is provided as a spiral-bound edition. Unfortunately, this wire binding was compressed during postage of the review copy and thus made turning the pages difficult, and edge perforations were torn as pages were opened. The book comes provided with a companion DVD, which contains 2 short presentations: 6.5 minutes for Esophageal Capsule and 9 minutes for Small Bowel Capsule. These provide good basic introductory information in slide presentations but would have been enhanced by the addition of video footage to illustrate some points. For example, the application of the sensor belt to the patient's abdomen where the correct tension of the belt is critical to gaining a quality recording. The DVD presentations do not include Capsule Colonoscopy, although it is included in the book content, presumably because that procedure is not approved by the Food and Drug Administration in the United States.

This comprehensive but concise publication is a valuable addition to any center where capsule endoscopy is performed. It provides an easy-to-understand introduction for practitioners learning the procedure.