Endocytoscopy and Colorectal Neoplasia

Colorectal cancer has been recognized as the second most common cause of cancer related death in the US (1). Most colorectal cancers arise from adenomatous polyps that progress. Colon polyps are usually classified as neoplastic (adenoma and carcinoma) and non-neoplastic (most commonly hyperplastic). Standard endoscopic inspection cannot reliably distinguish between polyp types. Thus, all visualized polyps during standard colonoscopies are typically removed. Since almost half of all polyps are hyperplastic, a large proportion of unnecessary polypectomies increase the time, risk, and cost of colonoscopies.

Various studies have showed improved diagnostic accuracy of different types of polyps when broad field techniques such as chromoendoscopy with the use of topical stains were used to detect and characterize lesions (2-4). Chromoendoscopy, though an approved method of lesion characterization during endoscopic evaluation of colorectal lesions, is time consuming and non-standardized. Recently small field techniques such as confocal microscopy and endocytoscopy have been introduced enabling visualization of the gastrointestinal tract at a cellular level, thus allowing diagnosis and classification of colorectal lesions in vivo.

Confocal endomicroscopy used along with chromoendoscopy to detect and characterize lesions has been studied extensively and reported to have a high accuracy in diagnosing neoplastic and nonneoplastic lesions of the gastrointestinal tract (5-12). One of the major limitations of the confocal system is the mandatory use of dyes such as topical Acriflavine or intravenous Fluorescein. However, there are issues with the application of these dyes; the risk of DNA damage with Acriflavine reduced its use. In addition, although intravenous fluorescein is FDA approved for diagnostic fluorescein angiography, its gastrointestinal application is an off-label indication and considered class IIb by the FDA. The other major limitation of the current confocal system is that it requires a dedicated confocal endoscope marketed by a single manufacturer. Thus, the use of confocal imaging requires purchase of specific confocal endoscopes.

Endocytoscopy is based on the technology of light-contact microscopy. The current endocytoscopy system (ECS) consists of two prototypes; Prototype one gives a low magnification (XEC300) with a maximal 450X magnification and field of view of 300X300 um, Prototype two provide a high magnification (XEC120) with a maximal 1100X magnification and a field of view of 120X120 um. In contrast to confocal endomicroscopy, the endocytoscopes can be easily passed through an accessory channel of the conventional therapeutic endoscope. This method does not require the use of intravenous contrast agents. Instead, it uses topical staining such as methylene blue or crestyl violet, which is applied routinely to facilitate visualization and removal of advanced colorectal polyps through endoscopic mucosal resection during colonoscopy.

The endocytoscopy system has only recently been introduced and hence there are very few studies reporting its use.

A prospective study from Japan used endocytoscopy on 113 patients to obtain real time histological images in vivo during colonoscopy (13). With the ECS system, it was possible to observe lesions at the cellular level, evaluate cellular atypia and distinguish between neoplastic and nonneoplastic lesions when compared to histology which was used as the gold standard. The correlation between the endocytoscopic and histological diagnosis was statistically significant. Eleber et al (14) also reported a sensitivity and specificity of 79% and 90 %, respectively of the ECS system in diagnosing neoplastic lesions in 28 patients with colonic lesions. Furthermore the study by Cipoletta et al (15) demonstrated that the ECS system provides real time imaging in vivo with clear visualization of cellular details and features of dysplasia of aberrant crypt foci, considered to be the earliest precursor of colorectal cancer. In addition Rotondano et al (15) also confirmed high positive predictive values for diagnosing hyperplastic polyps as well as dysplastic polyps including low, high grade dysplasia as well as invasive cancer.

A recent systematic review of all published studies also confirmed that endocytoscopy is a safe and effective new endoscopic imaging technique to obtain in vivo histology and guided biopsies with high diagnostic accuracy (17).

No associated risks related to the endocystoscopy procedures have been reported in all published studies (12-17).

This specific diagnostic tool of in vivo histology with the use of high resolution endocytoscopy system would allow endoscopists to perform targeted biopsies and in some cases (if warranted based on the in vivo images) to proceed directly to endoscopic resection of lesions. It may also guide assessment of the completeness of the endoscopic intervention with detection of any residual neoplastic tissue at the index exam as well as on follow up colonoscopy exams. Other potential benefits include elimination of random biopsies for surveillance of mucosal disease, elimination of sampling error, limitation of unnecessary polypectomies, hence ultimately resulting in cost effectiveness and improved patient outcomes.

In summary, endocytoscopy has the potential to fundamentally change the way endoscopy and pathology interact by allowing near histological quality imaging in vivo, without the need, risk, and cost of tissue removal.

Inclusion criteria

• Age above 18, any patient undergoing screening or surveillance colonoscopy.

Exclusion criteria

• Pregnancy
• Unwillingness to consent
• Lack of any pathological state that would require biopsy at the time of endoscopy (will be considered "screen failure" since this will not be known until after consent is obtained and sedated endoscopy performed).