Image enhanced endoscopy (IEE) using NBI during screening colonoscopy: Usefulness and application

Abstract

We review magnified observations of the microvascular architecture of colorectal lesions, and discuss the utility of detailed observations of this architecture for differential diagnosis during narrow-band imaging (NBI) colonoscopy. Angiogenesis is critical to the transition of premalignant lesions in a hyperproliferative state to the malignant phenotype. Therefore, diagnosis based on angiogenic or vascular morphological changes might be ideal for the early detection or diagnosis of neoplasms. In this review, we propose the term meshed capillary for nonneoplastic lesions in order to distinguish them from neoplastic lesions, and the capillary classification capillary pattern for the differential diagnosis of colorectal lesions. We believe that the combined use of NBI optical equipment-based image-enhanced endoscopy (IEE) and real chromoendoscopy decreases the time and cost of screening colonoscopy. To assess the feasibility and efficacy of using the NBI system, further studies are required for colorectal lesions and other lesions of the gastrointestinal tract. © 2008 Springer Japan.