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Blue laser imaging bright mode improves visibility of colorectal polyps
Greater visibility of colorectal polyps was achieved with a new endoscope system that enables blue laser imaging via narrow-band light observation, compared with white light endoscopy, according to new research data.
Researchers aimed to determine whether blue laser imaging (Fujifilm) “bright mode,” which is intended to improve detection of gastrointestinal neoplastic lesions, provides better visibility of colorectal polyps compared with white light. They performed an open, prospective study in which they examined and recorded videos of 100 polyps (range, 2-20 mm; mean, 9.7 mm; 42 protruding, 58 flat) in 70 patients using blue laser imaging, blue laser imaging bright mode and white light at two academic medical centers in Japan between April and November 2013. Endoscopists (4 expert, 4 nonexpert) evaluated each video in random order and assigned a 1- to 4-point visibility score to each polyp.
Mean visibility scores assigned by expert endoscopists for blue laser imaging bright mode were 3.1 ± 0.95 compared with 2.9 ± 1.09 for white light (P = .00013), and scores assigned by nonexperts were 3.04 ± 0.94 vs. 2.78 ± 1.03, respectively (P < .0001). Visibility scores were significantly higher for blue laser imaging bright mode compared with white light for all nonexperts, but for only two experts. Scores assigned by experts for blue laser imaging bright mode were significantly higher compared with white light for left-sided colon polyps, rectal lesions, flat polyps and neoplastic polyps.
“In conclusion, our study showed the visibility of the [blue laser imaging] bright mode was significantly better than that of [white light] for both expert and nonexpert endoscopists,” the researchers wrote. “More studies should be done to determine whether higher visibility will lead to a lower polyp miss rate.” – by Adam Leitenberger
Disclosure: Yoshida reports no relevant financial disclosures. Please see the study for a list of all other authors’ relevant financial disclosures.