Editorial: An Advanced Chromocolonoscopic Picture Is Worth a Thousand Words, but Is It Worth the Effort?

Abstract

Chromocolonoscopy is a commonly used advanced or multimodal colon imaging method to interrogate the colon mucosa and colon polyps. The two main objectives of chromocolonosopy are to (a) detect a colon polyp and (b) defi ne (differentiate) the lesion. Although data supporting the use of chromocolonoscopy for colon polyp detection are not strongly founded, this technique may be helpful in differentiating colon polyps and may aid in their endoscopic resection.

Advanced Endoscopic Imaging Methods for Colon Neoplasia

“…pit pattern or surface analysis) and allowing a detailed view of the submucosal vessels (i.e. capillary pattern or subsurface analysis) ( table 1 ) [1][2][3] . All benign or malignant lesions that grow from or under the mucosa will 'stand out' from their surroundings by virtue of various characteristics, such as protrusion or excavation, shape, size, type of borders, color, shadows, absorbance or reflection of light, pit pattern, and capillary architecture [1][2][3][10][11][12][13][14] .…”

“…The hypothesis behind advanced imaging is that colonic lesions should be found (detection) and differentiated (characterized) better when compared to standard colonic imaging (i.e. white light endoscopy) [1][2][3][4][5][6] . Advanced endoscopic imaging comprises techniques such as highdefinition white light, standard white light with chromoendoscopy, virtual chromoendoscopy, and magnification as well as endomicroscopy for the evaluation of the gastrointestinal mucosa [2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13] .…”

“…Advanced endoscopic imaging comprises techniques such as highdefinition white light, standard white light with chromoendoscopy, virtual chromoendoscopy, and magnification as well as endomicroscopy for the evaluation of the gastrointestinal mucosa [2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13] . The concept of using more than 1 imaging method when performing endoscopy is currently called multimodal endoscopy [1][2][3][4]6] . This occurs when using standard white light and chromoendoscopy endoscopy.…”

“…Whereas, traditionally, endoscopic imaging was performed with fiber-optic technology, currently there are many new methods that improve our visual acuity when evaluating the gastrointestinal mucosa [3][4][5][6][7] . Most of these methods are collectively called 'advanced endoscopic imaging' [1][2][3][4][8][9][10][11] .…”

“…The main aim of lumenal endoscopic visualization of the colon is to detect mucosal pathologies, which when removed will result in cure or palliation of the disease process, such as colon cancer [1][2][3] . Whereas, traditionally, endoscopic imaging was performed with fiber-optic technology, currently there are many new methods that improve our visual acuity when evaluating the gastrointestinal mucosa [3][4][5][6][7] .…”