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Background
In the United States, colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer diagnosed among men and women and the second leading cause of death from cancer. Early stage colorectal cancers and pre-cancerous adeomatous lesions can be visualized and treated endoscopically. However, complications of colonoscopic polypectomy include hemorrhage (reported incidence of 0.2 % to 3 %) and perforation (reported incidence of 0.5 % to 3 %). In addition, biopsy and polypectomy are frequently performed for lesions that carry a low risk of malignancy in the colon. Thus, the ability to determine colorectal polyp pathology by endoscopy could potentially reduce the risks of polypectomy and improve the diagnosis of early colonic neoplasia.
A number of imaging technologies are under development that have the potential to enhance detection of colorectal neoplasia. Recent technology has led to the development of colonoscopes that are specifically designed to further improve visualization, including wide angle of view and high resolution. Traditionally, white light colonoscopy (WLC) is used whereby the light source provides red, green and blue wavelength light sequentially by a rotation filter. However, flat lesions are often difficult to identify with WL and diagnosis is usually dependent on random biopsies. Newer colonoscopes equipped with non-white light imaging capabilities have been designed to enhance image contrast and potentially improve the visualization of lesions. Some of these methods include fiberoptic analysis, narrow band imaging, and confocal fluorescent endomicroscopy.
The Optical Biopsy System (SpectraScience, Inc., Minneapolis, MN) includes a laser light, a long optical fiber that the light passes through and a computer that analyzes the light given off by suspicious lesions. It received premarket approval (PMA) through the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as an adjunct to lower gastrointestinal endoscopy for the evaluation of polyps less than 1 cm in diameter that the physician has not already elected to remove. The device is only to be used in deciding whether such polyps should be removed (which includes submission for histological examination). The FDA approval was based on an un-published prospective, non-randomized phase II study. According to the information submitted by the manufacturer to the FDA, patients (n = 101) who had at least one polyp identified from a prior endoscopic examination, underwent another standard colonoscopy using the Optical Biopsy System. When a polyp was identified, the physician documented whether they thought the polyp was adenomatous or hyperplastic based on the visual assessment and whether they would remove the polyp. The optical fiber was placed on a region of the polyp and the tissue's autofluoresence was evaluated from three different locations on the polyp. The effectiveness of the Optical Biopsy System was characterized by its ability to correctly identify adenomatous polyps as adenomatous and to correctly identify hyperplastic polyps as hyperplastic either alone or in conjunction with the physician assessment. The sensitivity and specificity of the physician assessment alone were 82.7 % and 50 %, respectively, whereas, the combined sensitivity and specificity were 96.3 % and 33 %, respectively. The study demonstrated that the Optical Biopsy System, when used as an adjunctive tool, will increase the number of adenomatous polyps that are biopsied (i.e., increase the sensitivity of physician assessment), but will also increase the number of hyperplastic polyps that are biopsied (i.e., decrease the specificity of physician assessment). Optimal methodologies for the endoscopic detection of dysplastic colonic lesions have yet to be outlined; thus, it is not clear what additional benefits this device would have over simply increasing the number of polyps chosen for biopsy through visual inspection. In addition, it is not known whether the performance of the Optical Biopsy System would be different by physicians who are less experienced and skilled than those who participated in the phase II clinical study.
Pilot studies have demonstrated the safety and feasibility of polyp detection using narrow-band imaging (NBI) (Su et al, 2006; Rastogi et al, 2007; Tischendorf et al, 2007; East et al, 2008). Evaluating NBI studies, however, has been difficult because of the lack of standardization between NBI systems (Emura et al, 2008).
The Evis Exera Xenon Light Source CLV-160A (Olympus Medical Systems, Melville, NY) is a video processing system that received pre-marketing clearance from the FDA through the 510(k) process. It is intended for endoscopic diagnosis, treatment and video observation and has an optional filter which allows the user to select either standard WL illumination or NBI.
Rogart et al (2008) compared WL with NBI for the differentiation of colorectal polyps in vivo during colonoscopy. Standard WL colonoscopy was performed with the Olympus 180-series colonoscopes. Each detected polyp was first characterized by WL and then by NBI. Modified Kudo pit pattern and vascular color intensity (VCI) were recorded, and the histology was predicted. Endoscopists were given feedback every 2 weeks. Main outcome measurements were overall accuracy and sensitivity and specificity of endoscopic diagnosis by using WL alone and with NBI, as well as improvement in endoscopists' performance. A total of 265 polyps were found in 131 patients. Diagnostic accuracy was 80 % with NBI and 77 % with WL (p = 0.35). Narrow-band imaging performed better than WL in diagnosing adenomas (sensitivity 80 % versus 69 %, p < 0.05). Non-adenomatous polyps were more likely to have a light VCI compared with adenomas (71 % versus 29 %, p < 0.001). During the second half of the study, NBI accuracy improved, from 74 % to 87 %, and out-performed an unchanged WL accuracy of 79 % (p < 0.05). Overall, NBI was not more accurate than WL in differentiating colorectal polyps in vivo; however, once a learning curve was achieved, NBI performed significantly better. The authors concluded that further refinements of an NBI pit-pattern classification and VCI scale are needed before broad application to clinical decisions regarding the necessity of polypectomy can be made.
Rex (2009) evaluated the ability of the Olympus Exera 180 high-definition colonoscope (Olympus America, Inc., Center Valley, PA) with NBI to predict colorectal polyp histology. A library of 320 endoscopic photographs with correlated histologic information were used to identify endoscopic features associated with adenomatous and hyperplastic histology. These features were tested in a prospective study of 451 consecutively identified colorectal polyps. Polyps were observed endoscopically and assigned a designation of high or low confidence. The primary end points were the predictive value of high-confidence endoscopic interpretations of adenoma and hyperplastic histology for polyps greater than 5 mm in size. Endoscopic predictions of adenoma and hyperplastic histology were made with high confidence for 80 % and 83 % of cases, respectively. High-confidence predictions were more likely than low-confidence predictions to be correct (p < 0.001). High-confidence predictions of adenoma and hyperplastic histology were correct for 91 % and 95 %, respectively, of polyps greater than 5-mm in size. The author concluded that the introduction of confidence levels to the endoscopic interpretation of colorectal polyp histology allowed sufficient accuracy for the use of the Exera narrow-band imaging system in the identification of distal hyperplastic polyps that do not need resection, as well as to plan post-polypectomy surveillance without pathologic evaluation of polyps 5-mm in size or smaller.
In a prospective randomized study, Adler et al (2008) evaluated NBI versus conventional colonoscopy for adenoma detection. Eligible patients presenting for diagnostic colonoscopy were randomly assigned to undergo wide-angle colonoscopy using either conventional high-resolution imaging or NBI during instrument withdrawal. The primary outcome parameter was the difference in the adenoma detection rate between the 2 techniques. A total of 401 patients were included (mean age of 59.4 years, 52.6 % men). Adenomas were detected more frequently in the NBI group (23 %) than in the control group (17 %), however, the difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.129). When the two techniques were compared in consecutive subgroups of 100 study patients, adenoma rates in the NBI group remained fairly stable, whereas these rates steadily increased in the control group (8 %, 15 %, 17 %, and 26.5 %, respectively). Significant differences in the first 100 cases (26.5 % versus 8 %; p = 0.02) could not be maintained in the last 100 cases (25.5 % versus 26.5 %, p = 0.91). The authors concluded that the increased adenoma detection rate of NBI colonoscopy were not statistically significant and whether the increasing adenoma rate in the conventional group was caused by a training effect of better polyp recognition on NBI remains speculative.
In a randomized controlled trial (RCT), Kaltenback et al (2008) compared NBI versus WLC. Patients were randomly assigned to undergo a colonoscopic examination using NBI or WLC. All patients underwent a second examination using WLC as the reference standard. The primary end point was the difference in the neoplasm miss rate, and secondary outcome was the neoplasm detection rate. Patients who underwent tandem colonoscopy (n = 276) experienced no significant difference of miss or detection rates between NBI or WLC. Of the 135 patients in the NBI group, 17 patients (12.6 %; 95 % confidence interval [CI]: 7.5 to 19.4 %) had a missed neoplasm, as compared with 17 of the 141 patients (12.1 %; 95 % CI: 7.2 to 18.6 %) in the WLC group with a miss rate risk difference of 0.5 % (95 % CI: -7.2 to 8.3); 130 patients (47 %) had at least 1 neoplasm. Missed lesions with NBI showed similar characteristics to those missed with WLC. All missed neoplasms were tubular adenomas, the majority (78 %) was less than or equal to 5.0 mm and none were larger than 1 cm (1-sided 95 % CI: up to 1%). Non-polypoid lesions represented 35 % (13/37) of missed neoplasms. The authors concluded that NBI did not improve the colorectal neoplasm miss rate compared to WLC and that the neoplasm detection rates were similar using NBI or WLC.
It is not known whether NBI improves patient outcomes. Studies that compared NBI to WLC reported similar neoplasm detection rates and there is a lack of standardization between NBI systems making it difficult to interpret the studies.
Confocal endomicroscopy is a new endoscopic technique that provides microscopic images of cellular morphology in the gastro-intestinal tract during ongoing endoscopy. The peer-reviewed literature for confocal endomicroscopy consists of small non-randomized safety and feasibility studies (Odagi et al, 2007; Hsiung et al, 2008; Watanable et al, 2008). This methodology represents a promising diagnostic imaging approach for the early detection of colorectal cancer, however, there is insufficient evidence of its effectiveness.
According to a review by Anandasabapathy (2008) on emerging optical techniques for the detection of colorectal neoplasia, autofluorescent imaging and NBI are "red flag" techniques which enhance visualization of mucosal change(s) and complementary technologies, such as confocal endomicroscopy and endocytoscopy provide subcellular imaging. However, it is unclear how these techniques impact clinical outcomes. Tissue biopsy is considered the gold standard for histopathological diagnosis; furthermore, optimal methodologies for the endoscopic detection of dysplastic colonic lesions have yet to be outlined.
A systematic review by van den Broek et al (2009) found that narrow band imaging had high sensitivity and specificity for the differentiation of neoplastic from non-neoplastic colon polyps when used by experienced endoscopists, and that its accuracy was comparable to chromoendoscopy. A critique of this review by the Centre for Reviews and Dissemination (CRD, 2009) found, however, that this systematic review suffered from a number of limitations, which means that these findings should be interpreted with some caution. The systematic evidence review identified six studies (n = 1,222 patients) meeting inclusing criteria that assessed the detection of neoplasia, including 4 RCTs and 2 tandem design studies (that compared the 2 techniques back to back). The CRD noted that one randomized study was not included in the meta-analysis. The CRD observed that eleven studies (n = 866 patients) on the differentiation of lesions were included in a table in the systematic evidence review but only 9 (n = 770) were included in the analysis and quality assessment table. One study assessed both and so contributed data to each analysis. The CRD noted that results of the quality assessment for the detection studies were not reported. The systematic evidence review found that studies on the differentiation of lesions all fulfilled items on use of an appropriate reference standard and avoidance of disease progression, partial verification, differential verification and incorporation bias. Items relating to test details, reference standard details, test bias and review bias were poorly reported. Only 4 studies included an appropriate patient spectrum and only 3 reported sufficient details of selection criteria. The systematic evidence review found that the proportion of patients with at least 1 adenoma detected by narrow-band imaging was similar to the proportion detected by white-light endoscopy (pooled odds ratio 1.19, 95 % CI: 0.86 to 1.64; 3 RCTs) as was the mean number of adenomas detected (relative ratio of means 1.23, 95 % CI: 0.93 to 1.61; 3 RCTs). In the 2 observational studies, the adenoma miss rates of white-light endoscopy were 40 % (29/72) and 46 % (21/46) for each study. Regarding the use of narrow band imaging in the differentiation of lesions, the review excluded 3 studies on the diffentiation of lesions from the metaanalysis as they included highly selected patient groups and were therefore thought to be biased. Based on the remaining 6 studies, the pooled sensitivity of narrow-band imaging for the differentiation of neoplastic compared to non-neoplastic colon polyps was 92 % (95 % CI: 89 to 94) and pooled specificity was 86 % (95 % CI: 80 to 91). Five studies also reported on the accuracy of chromoendoscopy. Pooled sensitivity was reported to be 91% (95 % CI: 83 to 96) and pooled specificity was 89 % (95 % CI: 83 to 93). Four studies provided data on inter-observer agreement. Kappa values ranged from 0.48 to 1.0, suggesting moderate to excellent agreement. The authors of the systematic review concluded that narrow-band imaging showed high sensitivity and specificity for the differentiation of neoplastic from non-neoplastic colon polyps when used by experienced endoscopists, and that its accuracy was comparable to that of chromoendoscopy. In a critique of this systematic evidence review, the CRD (2009) found only limited study details reported, and that further details, especially in relation to the patients included in the studies, would have helped to assess the generalizability of findings. The CRD noted that not all studies reported to have fulfilled inclusion criteria and summarized in tables contributed to the analysis, and that the reasons for this are unclear. The CRD also noted that heterogeneity was not formally assessed or investigated in this metaanalysis. The CRD stated that the conclusions of this meta analysis should be interpreted with some caution, due to the unclear generalizability of findings and the fact that some studies were excluded from the analysis without justification.
Benes and Antos (2009) examined the correlation between the results of an optical biopsy system and the histopathology report of the physical biopsy specimens of the same polyps removed at colonoscopy. Paired optical and physical biopsies were performed on 55 polyps with complete polypectomy of the same tissue. A total of 53 adenomatous polyps and 2 hyperplastic polyps were identified by the hospital pathologist. The optical biopsy system identified 52 polyps as suspect (adenomatous) and 2 as non-suspect (hyperplastic). One villous adenoma could not be optically analyzed due to friability. The authors concluded that the WavSTAT Optical Biopsy System provides accurate information to the gastroenterologist to assist in distinguishing between hyperplastic and adenomatous polyps. However, the impact of this technology on health outcomes is unclear.
The American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE, 2008) published a technology status evaluation report regarding NBI. It stated that NBI may enhance the diagnosis and characterization of mucosal lesions in the gastrointestinal tract, especially as an adjunct to magnification endoscopy; however, standardization of image characterization, further image pathology correlation and validation, as well as the impact of these technologies on patient outcomes are needed before endorsing the use of NBI in the routine practice of gastrointestinal endoscopic procedures.
Kahi et al (2010) noted that high-definition chromoscopy is used to increase the yield of colonoscopy for flat and depressed neoplasms; however, its role in average-risk patients undergoing routine screening remains uncertain. This study compared high-definition chromocolonoscopy with high-definition white light colonoscopy for average-risk colorectal cancer screening. Average-risk patients referred for screening colonoscopy at 4 United States medical centers were randomized to high-definition chromocolonoscopy or high-definition white light colonoscopy. The primary outcomes, patients with at least 1 adenoma and the number of adenomas per patient, were compared between the 2 groups. The secondary outcome was patients with flat or depressed neoplasms, as defined by the Paris classification. A total of 660 patients were randomized (chromocolonoscopy: 321, white light: 339). Overall, the mean number of adenomas per patient was 1.2 +/- 2.1, the mean number of flat polyps per patient was 1.4 +/- 1.9, and the mean number of flat adenomas per patient was 0.5 +/- 1.0. The number of patients with at least 1 adenoma (55.5 % versus 48.4 %, absolute difference 7.1 %, 95 % CI: -0.5 % to 14.7 %), p = 0.07), and the number of adenomas per patient (1.3 +/- 2.4 versus 1.1 +/- 1.8, p = 0.07) were marginally higher in the chromocolonoscopy group. There were no significant differences in the number of advanced adenomas per patient (0.06 +/- 0.37 versus 0.04 +/ -0.25, p = 0.3) and the number of advanced adenomas less than 10 mm per patient (0.02 +/- 0.26 versus 0.01 +/- 0.14, p = 0.4). Two invasive cancers were found, 1 in each group; neither was a flat neoplasm. Chromocolonoscopy detected significantly more flat adenomas per patient (0.6 +/- 1.2 versus 0.4 +/- 0.9, p = 0.01), adenomas less than 5 mm in diameter per patient (0.8 +/- 1.3 versus 0.7 +/- 1.1, p = 0.03), and non-neoplastic lesions per patient (1.8 +/- 2.3 versus 1.0 +/- 1.3, p < 0.0001). The authors concluded that high-definition chromocolonoscopy marginally increased overall adenoma detection, and yielded a modest increase in flat adenoma and small adenoma detection, compared with high-definition white light colonoscopy. The yield for advanced neoplasms was similar for the 2 methods. The authors concluded that these findings do not support the routine use of high-definition chromocolonoscopy for colorectal cancer screening in average-risk patients. The high adenoma detection rates observed in this study may be due to the high-definition technology used in both groups.
Neumann and colleagues (2011) noted that endocytoscopy (EC) enables in-vivo microscopic imaging at 1,400-fold magnification, thereby allowing the analysis of mucosal structures at the cellular level. In contrast to fluorescence imaging with confocal laser endomicroscopy (CLE), which allows analysis of mucosal structures up to 250 μm in depth, EC is based on the principle of contact light microscopy and only allows visualisation of the very superficial mucosal layer. These researchers systemically reviewed the feasibility and diagnostic yield of EC for in-vivo diagnosis of diseases. A systematic search of the literature on diagnostic interventions in the gastro-intestinal tract using EC was performed by searches in MEDLINE, Current Contents, PubMed, cross-references and references from relevant articles using the search terms "endocytoscopy", "endocytoscope", "magnification endoscopy", "endocytoscopic imaging", "virtual histology" and "optical biopsy". Only full manuscripts and case reports published in English were included. A total of 29 relevant reports were identified. Endocytoscopy was feasible to detect esophageal squamous cell cancer with sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of 95 %, 84 % and 82 %, respectively. Moreover, EC reached excellent sensitivity and specificity for in- vivo diagnosis of colon polyps (91 % and 100 %, respectively). Other diagnostic applications of EC included diagnosis of Barrett's esophagus, Helicobacter pylori, celiac disease and small cell lung cancer. No serious complications of EC have yet been reported. The authors concluded that endocytoscopy is a safe and effective new endoscopic imaging technique to obtain in-vivo histology and guided biopsies with high diagnostic accuracy. Therefore, endocytoscopy has the potential to facilitate both diagnosis and patient management.
Yeung and Mortensen (2011) stated that conventional white-light endoscopy is currently the gold standard for the detection and treatment of colorectal polyps. However, up to 20 % of polyps may be missed on initial examination, especially flat and small mucosal lesions. These investigators reviewed the literature reporting on the use of new advances in endoscopic visualization. Literature searches were performed on PubMed using the terms "chromoendoscopy", "narrow-band imaging" (NBI), "autofluorescence imaging" (AFI), "Fujinon Intelligent Colour Enhancement" (FICE), "i-Scan colonoscopy", "zoom colonoscopy" and "confocal laser endomicroscopy". They focused on systematic reviews, national guidelines and RCTs written in English. Studies were assessed for methodological quality using QUADAS. Prospective studies assessing new technology were also reviewed. Further publications were identified from reference lists. Chromoendoscopy increases the detection of neoplastic polyps compared with conventional colonoscopy. Narrow-band imaging avoids the use of additional dyes and enhances the vascular network of capillaries surrounding the crypts, increasing the adenoma detection rate and the ability to distinguish between neoplastic and non-neoplastic lesions. Fujinon Intelligent Color Enhancement, AFI and i-Scan are new developments that improve tissue contrast. Zoom endoscopy may be combined with different modalities to help further characterize colonic lesions. Confocal laser endomicroscopy provides live in-vivo high-resolution optical sections of tissue and may be particularly useful in the surveillance of patients with long-standing ulcerative colitis, reducing the number of random biopsies. The authors concluded that although there is mounting evidence that these new technologies are superior to conventional endoscopy, current guidelines are limited. Moreover, they stated that further large-scale RCTs comparing these modalities in different patient subpopulations are warranted.
In a RCT and meta-analysis of published studies, Sabbagh et al (2011) examined if NBI improve detection of colorectal polyps. Eligible adult patients presenting for screening or diagnostic elective colonoscopy were randomly allocated to undergo conventional colonoscopy or NBI during instrument withdrawal by 3 experienced endoscopists. For the systematic review, studies were identified from the Cochrane Library, PUBMED and LILACS and assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias tool. These investigators enrolled a total of 482 patients (62.5 % females), with a mean age of 58.33 years (SD of 12.91); 241 into the intervention (NBI) colonoscopy and 241 into the conventional colonoscopy group. Most patients presented for diagnostic colonoscopy (75.3 %). The overall rate of polyp detection was significantly higher in the conventional group compared to the NBI group (RR 0.75, 95 % CI: 0.60 to 0.96). However, no significant differences were found in the mean number of polyps (MD -0.1; 95% CI: -0.25 to 0.05), and the mean number of adenomas (MD 0.04 95 % CI: -0.09 to 0.17). Meta-analysis of studies (regardless of indication) did not find any significant differences in the mean number of polyps (5 RCT, 2,479 participants; WMD -0.07 95 % CI: -0.21 to 0.07; I2 68 %), the mean number of adenomas (8 RCT, 3,517 participants; WMD -0.08 95 % CI: -0.17 to 0.01; I2 62 %) and the rate of patients with at least 1 adenoma (8 RCT, 3,512 participants, RR 0.96 95 % CI: 0.88 to 1,04; I2 0 %). The authors concluded that NBI does not improve detection of colorectal polyps when compared to conventional colonoscopy.
In a Cochrane review, Nagorni et al (2012) compared standard- or high-definition white light colonoscopy (WLC) with NBI colonoscopy for detection of colorectal polyps. These investigators searched The Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, and EMBASE to August 2011. They scanned bibliographies of relevant publications and wrote to experts for additional trials. Two authors independently applied the inclusion criteria and extracted the data to all potential studies without blinding. Authors extracted data independently. Trials with adequate randomization, allocation concealment, and complete outcome data reporting, as well as without selective outcome reporting or other bias were classified as having a lowest risk of bias. Random-effects and fixed-effect meta-analyses were conducted. These researchers identified 11 randomized trials comparing WLC with NBI for detection of colorectal polyps. A total of 8 randomized trials with 3,673 subjects provided data for the analyses. There was no statistically significant difference between WLC (standard-definition and high-definition pooled) and NBI for the detection of patients with colorectal polyps (6 trials, n = 2,832, RR 0.97, 95 % CI: 0.91 to 1.04), patients with colorectal adenomas (8 trials, n = 3,673, RR 0.94, 95 % CI: 0.87 to 1.02), or patients with colorectal hyperplastic polyps (2 trials, n = 645, RR 0.87, 95 % CI: 0.76 to 1.00). Number of patients with at least 1 colorectal adenoma was not significantly different between WLC and NBI group irrespective of adenoma size (less than 5 mm: RR 0.95, 95 % CI: 0.84 to 1.08, I(2) = 56 %; 6 to 9 mm: RR 1.06, 95 % CI: 0.81 to 1.39, I(2) = 0 %; greater than or equal to 10 mm: RR 1.06, 95 % CI: 0.77 to 1.45, I(2) = 0 %). Number of patients with at least 1 colorectal polyp, or colorectal adenoma was significantly lower in the standard-definition WLC group compared to NBI group in fixed-effect meta-analysis (RR 0.87, 95 % CI: 0.78 to 0.97, I(2) = 78 %; RR 0.87, 95 % CI: 0.77 to 0.99, I(2) = 0 %, respectively), but not significantly different in random-effects meta-analysis (RR 0.86, 95 % CI: 0.68 to 1.10, I(2) = 78 %). There was no statistically significant difference between high-definition WLC and NBI in the number of patiens with at least 1 colorectal polyp or colorectal adenoma (RR 1.10, 95 % CI: 0.95 to 1.28; RR 0.87, 95 % CI: 0.77 to 0.99, I(2) = 0 %, respectively). The authors concluded that they could not find convincing evidence that NBI is significantly better than high-definition WLC for the detection of patients with colorectal polyps, or colorectal adenomas. Moreover, they found evidence that NBI might be better than standard-definition WLC and equal to high-definition WLC for detection the patients with colorectal polyps, or colorectal adenomas.
In a meta-analysis, Dinesen and colleagues (2012) examined if use of NBI enhances the detection of adenomas. Meta-analyses were conducted of 7 studies using NBI for adenoma detection rate. MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, and Cochrane databases were searched by using a combination of the following terms: "colonoscopy", "NBI", and "electronic chromoendoscopy". There was a total of 2,936 patients in the NBI studies. Prospective, randomized trials of NBI versus standard WLC were conducted. These researchers excluded spray chromoendoscopy studies as well as studies of inflammatory bowel disease and polyposis syndromes. Main outcome measures were adenoma and polyp detection rates and the number of polyps and adenomas detected per person. There was no statistically significant difference in the overall adenoma detection rate with the use of NBI or WLC (36 % versus 34 %; p = 0.413 [relative risk 1.06; 95 % CI: 0.97 to 1.16]), and there was no statistically significant difference in polyp detection rate by using NBI or WLC (37 % versus 35 %; p = 0.289 [relative risk 1.22; 95 % CI: 0.85 to 1.76]). When the number of adenomas and polyps per patient was analyzed, no significant difference was found between NBI and WLC (0.645 versus 0.59; p = 0.105 and 0.373 versus 0.348; p = 0.139 [weighted mean difference 0.19; 95 % CI: 0.06 to 0.44], respectively). The authors concluded that NBI did not increase adenoma or polyp detection rates.
Carignan and Yagi (2012) stated that new optical technologies are capable of identifying early pathology in tissues or organs in which cancer is known to develop through stages of dysplasia, including the esophagus, colon, pancreas, liver, bladder, and cervix. These diagnostic imaging advances, together as a field known as optical endomicroscopy, are based on confocal microscopy, spectroscopy-based imaging, and optical coherence tomography (OCT), and function as "optical biopsies," enabling tissue pathology to be imaged in-situ as well as in real time without the need to excise and process specimens as in conventional biopsy and histopathology. Optical biopsy techniques can acquire high-resolution, cross-sectional images of tissue structure on the micron scale through the use of endoscopes, catheters, laparoscopes, and needles. Since the inception of these technologies, dramatic technological advances in accuracy, speed, and functionality have been realized. The current paradigm of optical biopsy, or single-area, point-based images, is slowly shifting to more comprehensive microscopy of larger tracts of mucosa. With the development of Fourier-domain OCT, also known as optical frequency domain imaging or, more recently, volumetric laser endomicroscopy, comprehensive surveillance of the entire distal esophagus is now achievable at speeds that were not possible with conventional OCT technologies. Optical diagnostic technologies are emerging as clinically useful tools with the potential to set a new standard for real-time diagnosis. New imaging techniques enable visualization of high-resolution, cross-sectional images and offer the opportunity to guide biopsy, allowing maximal diagnostic yields and appropriate staging without the limitations and risks inherent with current random biopsy protocols. However, the ability of these techniques to achieve widespread adoption in clinical practice depends on future research designed to improve accuracy and allow real-time data transmission and storage, thereby linking pathology to the treating physician.
Neumann et al (2012) evaluated the clinical utility of CLE in patients with Crohn's disease (CD) and examined if disease activity can be graded using CLE. Consecutive patients with and without CD were enrolled. The colonic mucosa was examined by standard white-light endoscopy followed by CLE. The features seen on CLE were compared between CD patients and controls. A total of 76 patients with CD were screened, of whom 54 patients were included in the present study. Eighteen patients without inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) served as controls. A significantly higher proportion of patients with active CD had increased colonic crypt tortuosity, enlarged crypt lumen, micro-erosions, augmented vascularization, and increased cellular infiltrates within the lamina propria. In quiescent CD, a significant increase in crypt and goblet cell number was detected compared with controls. Based on these findings, these investigators proposed a Crohn's Disease Endomicroscopic Activity Score (CDEAS) for assessing CD activity in-vivo. The authors concluded that CLE has the potential to significantly improve diagnosis of CD compared with standard endoscopy. These findings should be evaluated in future prospective trials to assess the value of this newly developed CLE score for prediction of disease course and therapeutic responses.
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