Visualization of Laterally Spreading Colorectal Tumors by Using Image-Enhanced Endoscopy

Abstract EN

Laterally spreading tumors may sometimes evade detection by colonoscopy.

This study aimed to evaluate the use of image-enhanced endoscopy for visualizing laterally spreading tumors of the nongranular type.

We reviewed consecutive patients with 47 non-granular-type laterally spreading tumors that had been examined using white-light imaging, autofluorescence imaging, narrow-band imaging, and chromoendoscopy with indigo carmine.

The quality of visualization was evaluated using a 5-point scale by less- and more-experienced endoscopists.

Autofluorescence imaging provided significantly better visualization than white-light imaging for both less-experienced and experienced endoscopists.

On the other hand, no significant differences were observed between the quality of visualization provided by white-light imaging and narrow-band imaging for less-experienced endoscopists.

Autofluorescence imaging provides high-quality visualization of non-granular-type laterally spreading tumors on still images.

Multicenter trials should be conducted to confirm the usefulness of autofluorescence imaging in detecting laterally spreading colorectal tumors.