Narrow-Band Imaging: Clinical Application in Gastrointestinal Endoscopy

Abstract

Narrow-band imaging is an advanced imaging system that applies optic digital methods to enhance endoscopic images and improves visualization of the mucosal surface architecture and microvascular pattern. Narrow-band imaging use has been suggested to be an important adjunctive tool to white-light endoscopy to improve the detection of lesions in the digestive tract. Importantly, it also allows the distinction between benign and malignant lesions, targeting biopsies, prediction of the risk of invasive cancer, delimitation of resection margins, and identification of residual neoplasia in a scar. Thus, in expert hands it is a useful tool that enables the physician to decide on the best treatment (endoscopic or surgical) and management. Current evidence suggests that it should be used routinely for patients at increased risk for digestive neoplastic lesions and could become the standard of care in the near future, at least in referral centers. However, adequate training programs to promote the implementation of narrow-band imaging in daily clinical practice are needed. In this review, we summarize the current scientific evidence on the clinical usefulness of narrow-band imaging in the diagnosis and characterization of digestive tract lesions/cancers and describe the available classification systems.

Multicolor fluorescence imaging using a single RGB-IR CMOS sensor for cancer detection with smURFP-labeled probiotics

“…A normal colonic presents a regular vessel pattern. However, colon inflammation causes thicker vessels and variable vascular density in the polyps [31]. We have tested effective fluorescence imaging depth to show ∼ 4 mm deeper vessel morphologies in a subdermal blood vessel phantom with Cy5 and ICG.…”

WATS(3D) versus forceps biopsy in screening for Barrett’s esophagus: experience in community endoscopy centers

“…Dye-based chromoendoscopy, which utilizes a chemical to enhance the gastrointestinal mucosal surfaces, is time-consuming and has high interobserver variability [ 17 ]. Electronic chromoendoscopy, such as NBI, which uses a narrow wavelength to improve the detection of abnormal mucosal lesions, has been shown to improve the diagnostic yield, but is also highly subject to error because it is operator-dependent [ 18 ]. Confocal laser endomicroscopy, which uses fluorescein to magnify mucosal tissues in vivo by 1000 times, has a high sampling error due to dye extravasation and the shallow depth of the working field; it is also expensive and time-consuming [ 19 ].…”

Antibody-Targeted Imaging of Gastric Cancer

“…Hence, gastric tumors are often incompletely resected, which can lead to a higher recurrence rate and ultimately, poor prognosis [ 42 ]. The introduction of the novel techniques chromo- and magnifying- endoscopy with narrow-band imaging has enhanced accuracy in identifying GC [ 43 , 44 , 45 , 46 ].…”