Is it proper to use non-magnified narrow-band imaging for esophageal neoplasia screening? Japanese single-center, prospective study

Surveillance for metachronous cancers after endoscopic resection of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

The literature pertaining to surveillance following treatment for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) was reviewed and summarized, encompassing the current status and future perspectives. Analysis of the standardized mortality and incidence ratios for these cancers indicates an elevated risk of cancer in the oral cavity, pharynx, larynx, and lungs among patients with esophageal SCC compared to the general population. To enhance the efficacy of surveillance for these metachronous cancers, risk stratification is needed. Various factors, including multiple Lugol-voiding lesions, multiple foci of dilated vascular areas, young age, and high mean corpuscular volume, have been identified as predictors of metachronous SCCs. Current practice involves stratifying the risk of metachronous esophageal and head/neck SCCs based on the presence of multiple Lugol-voiding lesions. Endoscopic surveillance, scheduled 6-12 months post-endoscopic resection, has demonstrated effectiveness, with over 90% of metachronous esophageal SCCs treatable through minimally invasive modalities. Narrow-band imaging emerges as the preferred surveillance method for esophageal and head/neck SCC based on comparative studies of various imaging techniques. Innovative approaches, such as artificial intelligence-assisted detection systems and radiofrequency ablation of high-risk background mucosa, may improve outcomes in patients following endoscopic resection.

Endoscopic Resection of Malignancies in the Upper GI Tract: A Clinical Algorithm

Background

Malignancies in the upper gastrointestinal tract are amenable to endoscopic resection at an early stage. Achieving a curative resection is the most stringent quality criterion, but post-resection risk assessment and aftercare are also part of a comprehensive quality program.

Summary

Various factors influence the achievement of curative resection. These include endoscopic assessment prior to resection using chromoendoscopy and HD technology. If resectability is possible, it is particularly important to delineate the lateral resection margins as precisely as possible before resection. Furthermore, the correct choice of resection technique depending on the lesion must be taken into account. Endoscopic submucosal dissection is the standard for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and gastric carcinoma. In Western countries, it is becoming increasingly popular to treat Barrett's neoplasia over 2 cm in size and/or with suspected submucosal infiltration with en bloc resection instead of piece meal resection. After resection, risk assessment based on the histopathological resection determines the patient's individual risk of lymph node metastases, particularly in the case of high-risk lesions. This is categorized according to the current literature.

Key Messages

This review presents clinical algorithms for endoscopic resection of esophageal SCC, Barrett's neoplasia, and gastric neoplasia. The algorithms include the pre-resection assessment of the lesion and the resection margins, the adequate resection technique for the respective lesion, as well as the post-resection risk assessment with an evidence-based recommendation for follow-up therapy and surveillance.

Impact of linked color imaging and blue laser imaging on the diagnosis of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma in iodine unstained areas

The pink color sign in iodine unstained areas is useful to differentiate esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) from other lesions. However, some ESCCs have obscure color findings which affect the ability of endoscopists to differentiate these lesions and determine the resection line. Using white light imaging (WLI), linked color imaging (LCI) and blue laser imaging (BLI), 40 early ESCCs were retrospectively evaluated using images before and after iodine staining. Visibility scores for ESCC by expert and non-expert endoscopists were compared using these three modalities and color differences measured for malignant lesions and surrounding mucosa. BLI had the highest score and color difference without iodine staining. Each determination with iodine was much higher than without iodine regardless of the modality. With iodine, ESCC mainly appeared pink, purple and green using WLI, LCI and BLI, respectively and visibility scores determined by non-experts and experts were significantly higher for LCI (both p < 0.001) and BLI (p = 0.018 and p < 0.001) than for WLI. The score with LCI was significantly higher than with BLI among non-experts (p = 0.035). With iodine, the color difference using LCI was twice that with WLI and one with BLI was significantly larger than with WLI (p < 0.001). These greater tendencies were found regardless of location, depth of cancer or intensity of pink color using WLI. In conclusion, areas of ESCC unstained by iodine were easily recognized using LCI and BLI. Visibility of these lesions is excellent even by non-expert endoscopists, suggesting that this method is useful to diagnose ESCC and determine the resection line.

New Diagnostic Approach for Esophageal Squamous Cell Neoplasms Using Linked Color Imaging and Blue Laser Imaging Combined with Iodine Staining

A 62-year-old man with a flat early esophageal cancer was referred for endoscopic treatment. White light imaging revealed a pale red lesion, whereas linked color imaging (LCI) and blue laser imaging (BLI) yielded purple and brown images, respectively. Iodine staining demonstrated a large unstained area with a homogenous but very weak pink-color sign. This area appeared more clearly as purple and green on LCI and BLI, respectively; however, a different colored portion was observed at the 4 o’clock position inside the iodineunstained area. Histopathology findings of the resected specimen revealed squamous intraepithelial neoplasia at the 4 o’clock position and an esophageal squamous cell carcinoma in the remaining iodine-unstained area. LCI and BLI combined with iodine staining produce characteristic images that overcomes the pink-color sign, reflecting the histological features of a flat esophageal neoplasm. This new method is useful for detailed evaluation of early flat squamous cell neoplasms.

Endoscopic diagnosis and management of early squamous cell carcinoma of esophagus

In recent years, diagnosis of early squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the esophagus has been increasingly emphasized. Utilization of image enhanced technology such as narrow band imaging (NBI) and magnification endoscopy allowed detailed examination of the esophageal mucosa. Different patterns of intrapapillary capillary loops (IPCL) have been proven to accurately diagnose and predict the depth of invasion of the tumors. In addition, the application of endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) has enabled safe en bloc resection of esophageal lesions. Promising results of ESD have been published and ESD is now the standard of therapy in early SCC of esophagus.

Narrow band imaging versus lugol chromoendoscopy to diagnose squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

In the early stage esophageal cancer, changes in the mucosa are subtle and pass unnoticed in endoscopic examinations using white light. To increase sensitivity, chromoscopy with Lugol’s solution has been used. Technological advancements have led to the emergence of virtual methods of endoscopic chromoscopy, including narrow band imaging (NBI). NBI enhances the relief of the mucosa and the underlying vascular pattern, providing greater convenience without the risks inherent to the use of vital dye. The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate the ability of NBI to diagnose squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus and to compare it to chromoscopy with Lugol’s solution.

Methods

This systematic review included all studies comparing the diagnostic accuracy of NBI and Lugol chromoendoscopy performed to identify high-grade dysplasia and/or squamous cell carcinoma in the esophagus. In the meta-analysis, we calculated and demonstrated sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative likelihood values in forest plots. We also determined summary receiver operating characteristic (sROC) curves and estimates of the areas under the curves for both per-patient and per-lesion analysis.

Results

The initial search identified 7079 articles. Of these, 18 studies were included in the systematic review and 12 were used in the meta-analysis, for a total of 1911 patients. In per-patient and per-lesion analysis, the sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative likelihood values for Lugol chromoendoscopy were 92% and 98, 82 and 37%, 5.42 and 1.4, and 0.13 and 0.39, respectively, and for NBI were 88 and 94%, 88 and 65%, 8.32 and 2.62, and 0.16 and 0.12, respectively. There was a statistically significant difference in only specificity values, in which case NBI was superior to Lugol chromoendoscopy in both analyses. In the per-patient analysis, the area under the sROC curve for Lugol chromoendoscopy was 0.9559. In the case of NBI, this value was 0.9611; in the per-lesion analysis, this number was 0.9685 and 0.9587, respectively.

Conclusions

NBI was adequate in evaluating the esophagus in order to diagnose high-grade dysplasia and squamous cell carcinoma. In the differentiation of those disorders from other esophageal mucosa alterations, the NBI was shown to be superior than Lugol.

Quality Assurance in Endoscopy: Which Parameters?

BACKGROUND

The verbalisation of quality standards and parameters by medical societies are relevant for qualitative improvement but may also be an instrument to demand more resources for health care or be a unique characteristic. Within the health care system 3 different quality levels can be defined: structure, process and result quality.

METHODS

The current S2k guideline of the German Society for Gastroenterology (quality requirements for gastrointestinal endoscopy) AWMF registry no. 021-022 provides recommendations based on the available evidence for the structure quality (requirements for equipment, human resources) as well as for the process quality (patient preparation, conduct, documentation) and result quality (follow-up of specific endoscopic procedures).

RESULTS

Based on these recommendations, measurable quality indicators/parameters for the endoscopy have been selected and formulated. General quality parameters for endoscopic examinations are given as well as quality parameters for specific procedures for the preparation, conduct, and follow-up of specific endoscopic interventions.

CONCLUSION

Only the regular review of processes and courses by means of defined measurement parameters builds up the basis for corrections based on facts. In addition, the implementation of recommended standards may be an instrument in demanding more resources from the health care system and, therefore, should be embedded as routine.

Value of screening endoscopy in evaluation of esophageal, gastric and colon cancers

Esophageal, gastric, and colorectal cancers are deadly diseases that continue to plague our world today. The value of screening endoscopy in evaluating these types of cancers is a critical area of discussion due to a potential reduction in morbidity and mortality. This article describes how to identify a good screening test and explains what are important criteria in the field of screening endoscopy. Furthermore, the current status and progress of screening endoscopy for esophageal, gastric, and colorectal cancer will be evaluated and discussed. Mass screening programs have not been implemented for esophageal and gastric carcinomas in those with average or low risk populations. However, studies of high-risk populations have found value and a cost-benefit in conducting screening endoscopy. Colorectal cancer, on the other hand, has had mass screening programs in place for many years due to the clear evidence of improved outcomes. As the role of endoscopy as a screening tool has continued to develop, newer technology and techniques have emerged to improve its utility. Many new image enhancement techniques and computer processing programs have shown promise and may have a significant role in the future of endoscopic screening. These developments are paving the way for improving the diagnostic and therapeutic capability of endoscopy in the field of gastroenterology.

Perspectives on narrow-band imaging endoscopy for superficial squamous neoplasms of the orohypopharynx and esophagus

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Narrow-band imaging (NBI) is widely available and over the last decade has been applied as a detection and characterization technique for superficial neoplasms of the aerodigestive tract. The aims of the present study were to systematically review clinical trials of NBI endoscopy and to investigate an upgraded NBI system using a novel endoscope for superficial squamous neoplasms in the orohypopharynx and esophagus.

METHODS

Studies on the diagnostic use of NBI endoscopy for superficial squamous neoplasms in the orohypopharynx and esophagus were retrieved from MEDLINE and PubMed and reviewed. An upgraded NBI system using a novel endoscope was investigated with our clinical cases.

RESULTS

In many clinical trials, NBI endoscopy with or without magnification had high diagnostic value for superficial squamousneoplasms in the orohypopharynx and esophagus. An upgraded NBI system can produce a significantly brighter endoscopic view than conventional endoscopes with high-quality magnified images that could be used to diagnose superficial squamous neoplasms.

CONCLUSIONS

NBI endoscopy with or without magnification has diagnostic utility for superficial squamous neoplasms in the orohypopharynx and esophagus. The upgraded NBI endoscopic system is expected to facilitate the use of NBI and magnifying endoscopic diagnosis.