Advanced endoscopic imaging methods for colon neoplasia

Abstract

The main goal of lumenal endoscopic visualization of the colon is to detect mucosal pathologies, which when removed will result in cure or palliation of a disease process. Whereas traditionally endoscopic imaging was performed with fiber-optic technology, currently there are many new methods that improve our visual acuity when evaluating the colon mucosa. Most of these methods are collectively called 'advanced colonic imaging'. The 2 main aims of standard (white light) and advanced colonic imaging are to enhance the superficial mucosal detail (i.e. 'pit pattern') and allow a detailed view of the submucosal capillary pattern, thus potentially improving the detection characterization of pathological lesions. However, the current literature dealing with most methods used for advanced endoscopic imaging of the colon is fraught with many controversial findings which have resulted in opposing views regarding its utility. Whereas some investigators vehemently support the use of most of these methods in routine clinical practice, most experts and practicing endoscopists still refuse to accept that these methods aid in the clinical routine. For now, white light video-colonoscopy and high-definition white light video-colonoscopy will remain the standard endoscopic methods for investigating the colon mucosa until new methods convincingly and clearly prove their superiority over white light endoscopy.