Measurement of lesions by endoscopy: an overview.
OBJECTIVE
Endoscopic measurement of lesion size is important in the design and conduct of clinical trials, in determining prognosis and choosing forms of therapy. Endoscopes are constructed with wide-angle lenses that distort the image significantly by creating a relative compression of points in the periphery of the image.


METHODS
Published studies on endoscopic lesion measurement were identified using a computerized search of electronic databases (MedLine).


CONCLUSIONS
Currently used clinical methods of estimating lesion size (visual estimation or comparison to a target of known size, e.g., open biopsy forceps) are flawed and inaccurate. Results from studies using image processing or the stereoendoscope are particularly promising for the future.
Vakil
N
N
University of Wisconsin Medical School, Milwaukee, USA.
D004064:Digestive System / Q000473:pathology*; D020776:Endoscopes, Gastrointestinal; D016099:Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal / Q000379:methods; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity