Detection and classification of the mucosal and vascular patterns (mucosal morphology) in Barrett's esophagus by using narrow band imaging.
BACKGROUND
The detection of the mucosal morphology (ie, mucosal and vascular patterns) in Barrett's esophagus (BE) by magnifying (chromo)endoscopy may improve the distinction of high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia (HGIN) from nondysplastic specialized intestinal metaplasia (SIM). Narrow band imaging (NBI) is a new technique that uses optical filters to enhance the mucosal contrast without the need for chromoendoscopy.


OBJECTIVE
To use NBI for the characterization and the classification of the mucosal morphology in nondysplastic BE and in BE with HGIN.


METHODS
Descriptive study.


METHODS
Single-center study in a tertiary referral center for the diagnosis and treatment of patients with BE.


METHODS
We used NBI with magnifying endoscopy to image and biopsy randomly selected areas in 63 patients with BE. A systematic image and a biopsy specimen evaluation process was followed, including unblinded assessment of an exploratory set of images and biopsy specimens, and blinded evaluation of learning and validation sets.


METHODS
The relationship between the mucosal morphology and the presence of SIM and HGIN.


RESULTS
SIM was characterized by either villous/gyrus-forming patterns (80%), which were mostly regular and had regular vascular patterns, or a flat mucosa with regular normal-appearing long branching vessels (20%). HGIN was characterized by 3 abnormalities: irregular/disrupted mucosal patterns, irregular vascular patterns, and abnormal blood vessels. All areas with HGIN had at least 1 abnormality, and 85% had 2 or more abnormalities. The frequency of abnormalities showed a significant rise with increasing grades of dysplasia. The magnified NBI images had a sensitivity of 94%, a specificity of 76%, a positive predictive value of 64%, and a negative predictive value of 98% for HGIN.


CONCLUSIONS
No data on observer agreement.


CONCLUSIONS
NBI with magnification reveals the mucosal morphology characteristics of nondysplastic BE and HGIN, without the need for staining and has a relatively high diagnostic value for HGIN when used for targeted detailed examination of areas of interest.
Kara
Mohammed A
MA
Department of Gastroenterology, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
Ennahachi
Mohamed
M
Fockens
Paul
P
ten Kate
Fiebo J W
FJ
Bergman
Jacques J G H M
JJ
D000368:Aged; D001471:Barrett Esophagus / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology*; D016099:Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal / Q000379:methods*; D004947:Esophagus / Q000098:blood supply / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009092:Mucous Membrane / Q000473:pathology; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity