Virtual Biopsy by Electrical Impedance Spectroscopy in Barrett’s Carcinoma

Abstract

Purpose Early detection of adenocarcinomas in the esophagus is crucial for achieving curative endoscopic therapy. Targeted biopsies of suspicious lesions, as well as four-quadrant biopsies, represent the current diagnostic standard. However, this procedure is time-consuming, cost-intensive, and examiner-dependent. The aim of this study was to test whether impedance spectroscopy is capable of distinguishing between healthy, premalignant, and malignant lesions. An ex vivo measurement method was developed to examine esophageal lesions using impedance spectroscopy immediately after endoscopic resection. Methods After endoscopic resection of suspicious lesions in the esophagus, impedance measurements were performed on resected cork-covered tissue using a measuring head that was developed, with eight gold electrodes, over 10 different measurement settings and with frequencies from 100 Hz to 1 MHz. Results A total of 105 measurements were performed in 60 patients. A dataset of 400 per investigation and a total of more than 42,000 impedance measurements were therefore collected. Electrical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) was able to detect dysplastic esophageal mucosa with a sensitivity of 81% in Barrett’s esophagus. Conclusion In summary, EIS was able to distinguish different tissue characteristics in the different esophageal tissues. EIS thus holds potential for further development of targeted biopsies during surveillance endoscopy. Trial Registration NCT04046601

Bile acid sequestrants in poor healing after endoscopic therapy of Barrett’s esophagus

“…25 In order to make these differences clinically useful, our scientific group has carried out a series of measurements on esophageal specimens. 26 In the multivariate analysis we could show a negative influence of BE length on wound healing (OR, 1.46). In consistence with this, it has already been demonstrated that BE length has an influence on risk of malignant transformation.…”

“… 25 In order to make these differences clinically useful, our scientific group has carried out a series of measurements on esophageal specimens. 26 …”