The results of a new study show that narrow band imaging used during colonoscopy is accurate enough to allow distal non-cancerous polyps to be left in place, according to a news release (pdf).
Results of the study, which appear in the August issue of GIE: Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, the scientific journal of the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, also show that narrow band imaging is sufficiently accurate to allow small, distal pre-cancerous polyps to be removed and discarded without pathologic assessment.
Used during colonoscopy, narrow band imaging, which was developed to enhance mucosal or vascular characteristics so abnormal growths could be better visualized, offers the potential for improved visualization over conventional colonoscopy.
"New imaging technologies that allow in vivo, real-time assessment of polyp type could transform the clinical approach to management of diminutive colorectal polyps," said lead study author Douglas K. Rex, MD, FASGE, of Indiana University Hospital in Indianapolis, in the release. "Currently, diminutive colorectal polyps, less than or equal to 5 mm, are removed endoscopically and submitted for pathologic assessment. The pathologic assessment is used to guide post-polypectomy surveillance intervals. However, these polyps rarely harbor invasive cancer and seldom have high risk features such as villous elements or high-grade dysplasia. We evaluated the feasibility of using narrow band imaging high-definition colonoscopes for leaving distal colon hyperplastic polyps in place during colonoscopy. We found very high levels of accuracy can be achieved for the endoscopic prediction of polyp type in the distal colon. Leaving distal colon hyperplastic polyps in place may be a relatively easy goal to achieve with acceptable accuracy by using narrow band imaging."
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