Role of narrow band imaging in endoscopic submucosal dissection

Abstract

Narrow band imaging (NBI) is a new image enhancement system employing optic digital methods to enhance images of blood vessels on mucosal surfaces, allowing improved visualization of mucosal surface structures. Studies have progressed over the last several years, and the clinical usefulness has been demonstrated. NBI has become frequently applied for preoperative diagnosis before endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) of digestive tract cancers, as well as for assessment of the range of ESD for en-bloc resection of large lesions. Consensus has been reached with regard to the usefulness of NBI for detecting micro-lesions of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma indicated for ESD, for the diagnosis of the range and depth. NBI has also been attracting attention for diagnosing gastric cancer based on the observation of micro blood vessels on the mucosal surface and mucosal surface microstructures. The usefulness of NBI has been reported in relation to various aspects of colon cancer, including diagnoses of the presence, quality, range, and depth of lesions. However, as NBI has not surpassed diagnostic methods based on magnifying observation combined with the established and widely employed dye method, its role in ESD is limited at present. Although NBI is very useful for the diagnosis of digestive tract cancers, comprehensive endoscopic diagnosis employing the combination of conventional endoscopy including dye spraying, EUS, and NBI may be important and essential for ESD.

Key Words: Endoscopic submucosal dissection; Narrow band imaging; Digestive tract cancer

INTRODUCTION

Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) was first reported in the late 1990s in Japan as a treatment for early-stage gastric cancer, and it has rapidly spread, surpassing conventional endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR)[1-4]. The advantage of ESD it that en-bloc resection employing ESD is possible even if the lesion is large and pathological evaluation of en-bloc resected specimen is accurate. Therefore, the preoperative diagnosis of not only cancer but also its range is very important before ESD.

Recently, diagnoses based on the observation of micro blood vessels on the mucosal surface and mucosal microstructures by narrow band imaging (NBI) have rapidly become common. Previous studies reported that this procedure was useful for the diagnosis of tumors of the digestive tract, suggesting its usefulness in screening, the differentiation between epithelial and non-epithelial tumors, differentiation between benign and malignant tumors, and evaluation of the infiltration of digestive tract cancer[5-10].

The role of NBI in ESD has become increasingly important, and NBI has been employed for not only detecting early neoplastic lesions indicated for treatment and the differentiation of benign and malignant lesions, but also for diagnosis of the range of lesions.

In this report, the usefulness of NBI for ESD and current problems are described by digestive organ (esophagus, stomach, and colon).

PRINCIPLE OF NARROW BAND IMAGING

In vivo, pigments absorb a specific wavelength of visible light. Under an endoscope, a pigmental protein contained in blood, hemoglobin, can be observed. Figure 1 shows the absorption characteristics of hemoglobin. Strong peaks are noted at approximately 415 and 540 nm, suggesting that red light with a long wavelength is not absorbed. Therefore, to display capillaries in the superficial mucosal layer at a high contrast, blue and green light at 415 and 540 nm respectively, should be employed for illumination.

Figure 1 Light wavelength-related differences in hemoglobin absorption (hemoglobin absorption curve). The transverse axis indicates the wavelength of visible light. The longitudinal axis indicates the absorption coefficient. The curve represents the relationship between the wavelength and hemoglobin absorption coefficient (provided from Olympus).

NBI is an image enhancement technology using the optical digital method developed by Olympus Co. Light is employed with central wavelengths of 415 and 540 nm, the same as those strongly absorbed by blood and strongly reflected and scattered by the mucosa. The spectrum widths are changed to narrow bands, through which images of micro blood vessels on the mucosal surface and mucosal micro patterns are enhanced at a higher contrast than those observed under white light[11].

Typical images are shown in Figure 2. On standard endoscopy, fine blood vessels in the superficial layer and thick blood vessels in the deep layer are visualized as red areas. In addition, NBI facilitates the observation of capillaries in the superficial layer, which cannot be observed on standard endoscopy. Furthermore, it is possible to identify blood vessels at different depths by differences in the color tone. As a result, NBI may improve the visualization of capillaries in the superficial mucosal layer, which is important for the early diagnosis of cancer. In addition, the absorption/diffraction of narrow band light with a central wavelength of 415 nm in the stomach and colon, as well as the visualization of fine structures on the mucosal surface as a white pattern in contrast to enhanced capillaries, are important. Microvascular features may be a useful independent factor in cancer diagnosis.

Figure 2 Basic effects of narrow band imaging (white light and narrow band imaging).

Esophagus

In the treatment of esophageal squamous cell carcinomas (ESCCs), early detection in the phase where endoscopic treatment, less invasive than surgery, is possible, is essential to improving the prognosis.

Noninvasive carcinoma (carcinoma in situ, m1; EP) and intramucosal invasive carcinoma limited to the lamina propria mucosae (m2; LPM) without vessel infiltration, have proved to have no lymph node or distant metastases. This has been shown by a large number of retrospective histopathological analyses of surgically resected esophageal squamous cell neoplasms (SCNs) and, as a result, endoscopic therapy may be considered as a treatment option for these lesions. EMR and ESD have been accepted widely for localized SCNs as an alternative to surgical therapy, especially in Japan, because of the considerable rates of surgical mortality and postsurgical complications related to esophagectomy (range 2.1% to 13.7%) that result in poor patient quality-of-life[11-13].

There is a considerable increase in the number of esophageal SCNs indicated for local treatment thanks to recent developments in endoscopy, including magnifying endoscopy by using NBI.

The superficial esophageal vascular network consists of thick blood vessels in the submucosal layer, a branch-like vascular network existing immediately above the mucosal myotome, and the intra-epithelial papillary capillary loop (IPCL) vertical to the branch-like vascular network. On standard endoscopy, branch-like or larger blood vessels can be observed. When performing magnifying observation using NBI, which facilitates the visualization of hemoglobin, i.e., blood vessels, the IPCL may be visualized, as shown in Figure 2. Inoue et al[14] reported that changes in the IPCL pattern were very useful for the qualitative diagnosis of cancer/non-cancerous lesions and evaluation of the degree of infiltration. NBI is advantageous for IPCL-pattern recognition (Figure 3).

Figure 3 Diagnosis of an esophageal micro-lesion. A: In the upper esophagus, a flare lesion measuring 4 mm was noted; B: When switching standard endoscopy to narrow band imaging-combined magnifying endoscopy, the lesion could be recognized as a clear brownish area; C: On magnifying endoscopy, a tumorous intra-epithelial papillary capillary loop pattern was visualized.

A basic diagnostic method for ESCCs is to observe the mucosa under a standard endoscope and find flare points/surfaces. When finding them, this method should be switched to NBI observation by pressing a switch, facilitating the visualization of the lesion site as a brownish area. Under magnifying observation, the qualitative diagnosis of cancer/non-cancerous lesions and evaluation of the degree of infiltration are performed based on the IPCL pattern. Currently, microcarcinoma can be relatively readily detected by making a diagnosis in this way (Figure 3).

Muto et al[5] compared conventional endoscopic white light imaging (WLI) with NBI in high-risk patients in a prospective, randomized study of the capacity to diagnose ESCCs, and reported that NBI was more useful for the early detection of superficial esophageal cancer.

Before the development of NBI, the preoperative depth of lesions indicated for ESD, i.e., lesions without lymph node metastasis at a depth up to that of intramucosal invasive carcinoma limited to the lamina propria mucosae (m2; LPM), was comprehensively diagnosed based on conventional observation under white light, EUS, and X-ray. However, it was difficult to reliably diagnose M2 and M3 prior to ESD. The development of NBI facilitated the visual observation of IPCL, revolutionizing the diagnosis of depth (Figure 4). However, it is necessary to demonstrate improved diagnosis of depth by adding NBI to the current diagnostic tools, and the further accumulation and investigation of cases is expected.

Figure 4 The development of narrow band imaging facilitated the visual observation of intra-epithelial papillary capillary loop, revolutionizing the diagnosis of the depth. A: Findings of narrow band imaging-combined magnifying observation of a lesion diagnosed as M2 after endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD). Dilated and curving intra-epithelial papillary capillary loop (IPCL) with an irregular width extending in a transverse direction; B: Findings of narrow band imaging-combined magnifying observation of a lesion diagnosed as M3 after ESD. IPCL was severely damaged , and a connection with the adjacent IPCL was also observed.

For ESD, the range of superficial esophageal SCNs is diagnosed by Lugol spraying, and its usefulness remains unchanged. However, this method causes unpleasant adverse effects such as severe chest pain and discomfort, and attention must be paid to possible patient allergy to iodine. Moreover, not only normal but also cancerous epithelium is partially desquamated by Lugol spraying because of its strong irritability. When Lugol is sprayed immediately before treatment, the size and morphology of regions not stained on the previous examination may be markedly changed and it should, therefore, be applied carefully (Figure 5). We require at least a 4-wk interval after the final Lugol spraying before ESD. When diagnosis of range is necessary immediately before ESD, we confirm the brownish area in NBI as the lesion. NBI can be introduced by pressing a switch, and it is very advantageous that this procedure is non-invasive.

Figure 5 Lugol spray-induced morphological changes in lesions. A: A 4/5 circumferential zone unstained with Lugol was observed on the left side of the middle thoracic esophagus; B: The lesion shown in A, 2 wk after Lugol spraying. The morphology and size of the unstained zone changed.

NBI for esophageal superficial squamous cell carcinoma is the most advanced field, and consensus concerning the usefulness of NBI has been reached with regard to the detection of lesions and diagnoses of the quality, range, and depth.

Barrett’s esophageal adenocarcinoma, which is frequent in Europe and the United States, is a type of adenocarcinoma. Therefore, the diagnostic method for this carcinoma differs from that for squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus. On NBI, there are no characteristic findings. A diagnosis of Barrett’s esophagus and Barrett’s esophageal adenocarcinoma is made based on the fine mucosal structure and microvascular features, as described below in relation to the stomach. In patients with Barrett’s esophagus, the risk of adenocarcinoma is 30 to 125 times higher than in the general population[15,16]. Therefore, close follow-up is needed. However, a recent meta-analysis showed that chromoendoscopy was less useful than random biopsy[17]. For the regular surveillance of Barrett’s esophagus, a large number of random biopsies are still always performed.

In 2010, Mannath reporting the results of a meta-analysis[18], found that the sensitivity and specificity of NBI for the diagnosis of high-grade dysplasia were high in patients with Barrett’s esophagus, suggesting its usefulness. In future, spot biopsy with NBI-combined magnifying observation at sites where high-grade dysplasia is suspected may decrease the number of unnecessary biopsies. This procedure may also be useful for diagnosis on endoscopic treatment for early neoplastic lesions.

Stomach

In contrast to the esophagus and colon, NBI is not ideal for screening in the stomach due to the presence of mucus/regurgitated bile and wide cavity-related light volume insufficiency. Even when examining normal mucosa, NBI findings differ between sites. In addition, chronic food-associated stimuli and H. pylori-related gastritis further complicate the understanding of magnifying NBI findings and diagnosis. However, with recent advances in research on magnifying NBI of the stomach, many studies have reported that NBI-combined magnifying observation is useful for differentiating malignant from benign epithelial tumors, evaluating the extent of gastric cancer, and predicting the histological type of gastric cancer[9,19-21]. NBI-combined magnifying endoscopy of the gastric mucosa facilitates the visualization of various microvessels below the mucosal epithelium and fine structures on the mucosal surface. For magnifying NBI-guided assessment of the stomach, it is necessary to analyze microvascular features and fine mucosal structures separately and make a diagnosis based on these findings.

Initially, we will explain the microsurface pattern. On NBI-combined magnifying endoscopy, the marginal crypt epithelium (MCE) is visualized as a white line, as shown in Figure 6. When the morphology of the white line is similar to that of the peripheral mucosa, the microsurface pattern is regarded as “regular”. When the morphology, width, and arrangement are irregular in comparison with the peripheral mucosa, the microsurface pattern is regarded as “irregular”. When the white line shows a tendency toward disappearance or completely disappears, the microsurface pattern is regarded as showing “disappearance tendency or disappearance”. Many patients with an irregular pattern have cancer. However, it is often difficult to differentiate cancer from gastritis. In those with “disappearance tendency or disappearance”, undifferentiated carcinoma involving the glandular cervical region and atrophic gastritis with mucosal atrophy must be considered. Therefore, it is important to make a diagnosis based on comprehensive findings including microvascular features.

Figure 6 Marginal crypt epithelium. Coil-like subepithelial capillaries were visualized as brown areas, and the peripheral, multi-angle marginal crypt epithelium as a white area.

In addition, a white opaque substance (WOS) and light blue crest (LBC) were reported by Yao et al[9] and Uedo et al[22], respectively, as indices of fine mucosal structures. WOS (Figure 7) is a white substance existing in the superficial mucosal layer. Its presence reduces mucosal permeability, making the visualization of microvessels immediately below the epithelium difficult. The characteristics of this substance remain to be clarified. WOS appears in the presence of gastric adenoma or cancer, in most cases. In particular, its appearance is more frequent in patients with gastric adenoma and previous studies suggested its usefulness for the diagnosis of this condition[9,23]. WOS is visualized on white light or NBI-combined magnifying observation. However, it is more clearly visualized on NBI-combined magnifying observation. LBC (Figure 8) is a specific phenomenon visualized only on NBI. When performing NBI-combined magnifying endoscopy of the gastric mucosa in patients with Helicobacter pylori-related chronic gastritis, light blue, linear reflex light is sometimes observed at the epithelial margin. This is termed LBC and is reportedly useful for the objective, endoscopic diagnosis of intestinal metaplasia of the gastric mucosa[22].

Figure 7 White opaque substance. Magnifying endoscopy findings with narrow band imaging within an adenoma of the superficial elevated type. The subepithelial microvessels cannot be visualized because a dense white opaque substance obscuring the subepithelial microvessels.

Figure 8 Light blue crest. A light blue crest was observed along the marginal crypt epithelium surface.

Next, we will explain the microvascular pattern. When conducting NBI-combined magnifying endoscopy of the gastric mucosa in a physiological state, microvessels such as subepithelial capillaries and collecting venules can be observed. In a morbid state, blood vessels appearing in the healing process of inflammations such as ulcers, as well as tumor microvessels, can be observed. In particular, it is necessary to recognize, by NBI-combined magnifying observation, the presence or absence of abnormal blood vessels appearing in tumors and make a diagnosis based on comprehensive findings including fine mucosal structures. However, the absence of visualized microvascular features must also be regarded as a significant finding.

Next, we will describe abnormal microvessels. Nakayoshi et al[21] reported that, on NBI-combined magnifying endoscopy in gastric cancer patients, microvessels could be classified into 2 patterns: fine network and corkscrew patterns (Figure 9). They indicated that 68.4% of differentiated adenocarcinoma patients showed the fine network pattern, whereas 85.3% of undifferentiated carcinoma patients showed the corkscrew pattern. Based on this, it became possible to predict the histological type of gastric cancer to some extent by employing NBI-combined magnifying endoscopy in the absence of biopsy. Currently, although this procedure is utilized in clinical practice, it is an auxiliary diagnostic method and biopsy is still the gold standard.

Figure 9 A fine network pattern, a corkscrew pattern. A: Fine network pattern: microvessels comprising a mesh-like network; B: Corkscrew pattern: isolated, disordered microvessels.

In Japan, ESD for gastric cancer is generally indicated for differentiated adenocarcinoma lesions in the mucosa, and caution is necessary when deciding a therapeutic policy when it is applied for the undifferentiated type. At present, for the undifferentiated type of cancer, ESD is performed for 2-cm or smaller undifferentiated intramucosal carcinoma without lymph node metastasis and ulcerative changes as an extended indication at a limited number of facilities for patients who give consent. For lesions suspected to be a mixture of differentiated and undifferentiated types, it is necessary to perform NBI-combined magnifying observation, biopsy of both types of lesions, and thereafter decide on a therapeutic policy based on the findings.

We will briefly explain microsurface and microvascular pattern-based diagnosis. We performed NBI-combined magnifying endoscopy on protruding lesions in which differentiation between gastric adenoma and differentiated adenocarcinoma was necessary, and reported that the two lesions could be simply and accurately differentiated by classifying them into 4 types, as shown in Figure 10. According to our classification, 79% of type I/II patients had gastric adenoma, and 93% of type III/IV patients had differentiated adenocarcinoma[23]. Gastric adenoma is a benign tumor, and the selection of course observation is not problematic in most cases. When no changes are observed in the morphology or size on periodic endoscopy of the upper digestive tract, and adenoma is diagnosed by biopsy, course observation may normally be acceptable. However, high-risk cases, such as patients who are under oral anticoagulant treatment and require heparin substitution only for biopsy, have been increasing in the currently aging society. If gastric adenoma and differentiated adenocarcinoma can be distinguished by endoscopy alone without biopsy, this may be very useful as a diagnostic system. Considering that the diagnostic accuracy of gastric adenoma by biopsy is only about 50%-70%[24], our classification by NBI may be equally or more useful than biopsy.

Figure 10 Narrow band imaging typing. Type I: “Clear” mucosal microstructure and “unclear” microvessel image; Type II: “Clear” mucosal microstructure and “clear” microvessel image; Type III: “Clear” mucosal microstructure and “abnormal” microvessel image; Type IIIs: Very dense arrangement of small glands and “dots” or “unclear” microvessel image; Type IV: “Obscured” mucosal microstructure and “abnormal” microvessel image.

Another study also indicated that a definitive diagnosis of cancer could be made at a high probability on the basis of microsurface and microvascular patterns, as described in our study[9,19]. Ezoe et al[10] conducted a prospective study, and reported that the accurate diagnosis rate for the combination of WLI and NBI was higher than that for WLI alone in small, depressive gastric lesions, including gastritis and cancerous lesions.

Here, we present one case for which NBI-combined magnifying observation was useful for the differentiation of benignity and malignancy of a small depressed lesion (erosion) (Figure 11). Solitary erosion was present in the antrum on the small curvature side. Diagnosis by conventional observation was limited, but when close NBI magnifying observation was applied, the glandular structure of the erosion surface was clearly different from that of the surrounding region, and a few abnormal micro blood vessels with an abnormal distribution and irregular width were observed. After ESD, moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma (tub2) was diagnosed.

Figure 11 Differentiation of benignity and malignancy of a small depressed lesion. A: A solitary erosion was present in the antrum on the small curvature side. Differentiation of benignity and malignancy by conventional observation was difficult; B: The gland structure on the erosion surface was apparently different from the surrounding region, and a few abnormal micro blood vessels with an abnormal distribution and irregular width were present in this region; C: The lesion was an intramucosal moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma on pathological examination after endoscopic submucosal dissection. HE, original magnification, × 100 (left), original magnification, × 400 (right).

Recently, the widespread application of ESD has contributed to marked advances in the treatment of early gastric cancer. In the stomach, it has become possible to perform ESD regardless of the lesion size. However, border diagnosis becomes more important with increasing lesion size. In differentiated adenocarcinoma lesions, the border can usually be recognized employing standard endoscopy and the chromoendoscopy. However, there are many superficial-type lesions whose borders are difficult to recognize. In this case, NBI-combined magnifying endoscopy is very useful and the demarcation line (DL), recognized on the basis of differences in the microsurface or microvascular patterns between the gastric cancer lesion and non-lesion site, is very useful for evaluating the extent of gastric cancer.

As shown in Figure 12, a small flat-type differentiated early-stage gastric cancer of about 6-mm with an unclear boundary was present in the small curvature of the lower gastric body. The lesion was undetectable by conventional observation, giving considerably difficulty in diagnosing the range. Employing NBI magnifying endoscopy, the observation of tumor blood vessels and an apparent tumor/non-tumor boundary is possible.

Figure 12 A case of small flat-type differentiated early-stage gastric cancer with an unclear boundary. A: A small flat-type differentiated early-stage gastric cancer of about 6 mm with an unclear boundary was present in the small curvature of the lower body of the stomach (arrows), but visualization of the lesion by conventional observation was difficult; B: Findings on narrow band imaging-combined magnifying observation: The border between the tumor and non-tumorous region was clearly observed, and apparently abnormal blood vessels were present inside the demarcation line (arrows).

On the other hand, caution is needed for border diagnosis in undifferentiated carcinoma lesions. Undifferentiated carcinoma transversely infiltrates the deep mucosal and submucosal layers; cancer does not appear on the surface in many cases.

As described above, on NBI magnifying endoscopy of undifferentiated cancer, abnormal blood vessels showing a cork screw pattern are observed in some cases, whereas only an increased interval between white lines due to swelling of the intervening part of glands without abnormal blood vessels is observed in others, as shown in Figure 13. These findings may serve as a clue to decide on the range of undifferentiated cancer although only micro blood vessels directly below the microstructure of the mucosal surface are visually observed by NBI magnifying endoscopy. Therefore, the boundary of undifferentiated cancer advancing in the deep mucosal or submucosal layer should not be diagnosed by NBI.

Figure 13 A case of gastric undifferentiated adenocarcinoma. A: A pale concave lesion was noted in the antrum on the anterior wall side of the greater curvature (undifferentiated cancer was diagnosed by biopsy); B: Findings on narrow band imaging-combined magnifying observation of A: Only swollen intervening parts and increased intervals between the white lines were observed, and there were no abnormal blood vessels. The gland structures in the surrounding normal mucosa appeared different from those of the concave surface.

In undifferentiated carcinoma lesions, ESD and surgical resection lines should be established by verifying cancer-negative reactions using biopsy specimens.

Finally, we describe findings on NBI-combined magnifying observation of non-epithelial tumors, such as MALT lymphoma, which may require differentiation from early-stage gastric cancer. We previously reported that, when performing NBI-combined magnifying endoscopy of non-epithelial tumors such as mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphomas and Mantle lymphomas of the stomach, some patients showed a tree-like appearance, as presented in Figure 14[7,8]. Since collecting venules are present in the mucosa of an H. pylori-negative normal stomach body as a branching vascular network, differentiation from abnormal blood vessels branching like trees in MALT lymphoma is necessary, and these can be distinguished based on the microstructure of the background mucosa of abnormal branching blood vessels. In MALT lymphoma, the gland structure is destroyed by lymphoma cells infiltrating the proper lamina and the mucosal microstructure is lost, giving the mucosa a glossy appearance. In contrast, the background mucosal microstructure shows a normal regular pattern of collecting venules. In addition, the collecting venules are seen as a greenish-blue color on NBI because venules are present in a slightly deeper region of the mucosa, another point of differentiation.

Figure 14 Tree Like appearance. Images of abnormal blood vessels resembling branches from the trunk of a tree in the shiny mucosa, in which the glandular structure tends to be lost.

Furthermore, this procedure may be useful for differentiating non-epithelial tumors from gastric cancer and gastritis when standard endoscopic findings are similar. In the future, this should be further investigated in a larger number of patients.

Colon

ESD for the colon has not surpassed EMR and it is performed by only a limited number of facilities because of its technical difficulty and a high complication rate[25-29]. Moreover, the role of NBI in the colon ESD is very limited. In the diagnosis of the range for ESD, the mucosal thickness of colorectal tumor lesions is different from that of the normal mucosa. Therefore, the boundary is clear on conventional observation (including dye spraying) even after local injection. Accordingly, diagnosis of the boundary is not problematic, unlike in esophageal and gastric ESD, and no mark is applied around lesions for ESD, as is characteristic of colon ESD. NBI-combined magnifying observation before ESD is useful for the diagnosis of lesion depth because it can be simply applied by pressing a button. However, it has not yet surpassed the dye sprayed magnifying endoscopic diagnosis (pit pattern diagnostics) established by Kudo et al[30].

Kudo et al[30,31] reported that, in the diagnosis of colon polyps, magnifying chromoendoscopy of pit appearance on the polyp surface was useful for differentiating tumors from non-tumorous lesions and evaluating the degree of infiltration. Currently, their pit-pattern classification is employed throughout the world. Two NBI-based diagnostic methods for colon lesions have been proposed: one is to examine microvascular features on the mucosal surface[6], and the other is to make a diagnosis based on fine mucosal structure and microvascular features[32], as reported for the stomach. According to East et al[33], a fine mucosal structure observed on NBI-combined magnifying endoscopy, of pit-like appearance, may differ from a pit pattern observed on magnifying chromoendoscopy. This may be because microvessels in which hemoglobin is present are emphasized on NBI-combined endoscopy, and the visualization of a fine mucosal structure as a secondary finding, whereas the pit pattern is a direct observation in chromoendoscopy.

The clinical significance of NBI-combined magnifying endoscopy in tumorous lesions of the colon is its ability to pick up lesions. However, a consensus has not yet been reached on this[6,34,35]. On the other hand, an international consensus regarding the usefulness of this procedure for the differential diagnosis of tumors from non-tumorous lesions has been reached[36,37]. Sano et al[6] reported that NBI-combined magnifying endoscopy involving the observation of meshed capillary vessels on the polyp surface was useful for differentiating tumorous from non-tumorous colon polyps (Figure 15).

Figure 15 Hyperplastic polyp and adenoma. A: Hyperplastic polyp: meshed capillary vessels (-); B: Adenoma: meshed capillary vessels (+), capillary vessel surrounding mucosal glands.

Furthermore, this procedure provides a simple method for the indirect evaluation of a pit-like appearance without dye spray. Tanaka et al[38] reported that the degree of infiltration of early colorectal cancer could be assessed by comprehensively evaluating the microvascular structure and surface pattern (pit-like appearance). According to their classification, lesions are classified into 3 types: A, B, and C. In addition, type C lesions are divided into 3 subtypes: C1 to C3. They observed that 94% of C3 lesions showed massive SM infiltration (P < 0.01[32]).

Although the role of NBI in the colon ESD is limited, the simplicity of its application makes it useful for the differentiation between tumors and non-tumors and diagnosis of the depth of early-stage colorectal cancer, as described above. The addition of evaluation of microvascular construction by NIB-combined magnifying observation to pit pattern diagnostics may further increase the accuracy of colonoscopic diagnosis.

CONCLUSION

The use of ESD has markedly spread over the last several years with the development of devices, and is becoming established as a minimally-invasive treatment for tumors. In parallel with this, clinical studies on NBI have markedly progressed and spread over the last several years, demonstrating its usefulness and increasing its role in ESD.

However, not all problems have been completely resolved, and because only the mucosal surface is observed and diagnosed on NBI this limits its value in the diagnoses of the range of undifferentiated gastric cancer and depth of gastric cancer. In the colon, NBI has not surpassed pit pattern diagnostics by magnifying observation employing dye spraying. In the esophagus, the use NBI magnifying observation of Barett’s esophageal adenocarcinoma in Barett’s esophagus, frequently observed in Western countries, is still under development.

For the endoscopic diagnosis of ESD, NBI-combined comprehensive diagnosis by conventional endoscopy including dye spraying and EUS is important and essential.