How to adjust endoscopic findings to histopathological findings of the stomach: a “histopathology-oriented” correspondence method helps to understand endoscopic findings

Abstract

Background: Endoscopic findings have now become nearly as detailed as histopathological findings. Thus, one-to-one correspondence and precise feedback of histopathological findings is very desirable but may be very difficult to accomplish. We describe a systematic process called the Kyoto One-to-One Correspondence Method (the KOTO Method) that allows detailed adjustments of endoscopic findings to match histopathological findings. Methods and results: By comparing endoscopic and stereoscopic images of the gastric mucosa, we could obtain one-to-one correspondence between endoscopic images and equivalent histology in 44 of 47 fields. Conclusions: The histological structure of gastric cancers of the same histological subtype may not be similar. One-to-one correspondence between endoscopic images and gastric mucosal histology (histopathology-oriented correspondence) will improve endoscopic diagnosis and provide more useful information for pathological diagnosis.