Narrow-Band Imaging Might Outshine White-Light Endoscopy in BE Surveillance

NBI required fewer biopsies to identify the same high percentage of metaplastic lesions in patients with Barrett esophagus.

Endoscopy with biopsies is the current standard of care for esophageal cancer surveillance in patients with Barrett esophagus (BE). Current guidelines recommend the use of standard white-light endoscopy (WLE) with targeted biopsy of visible lesions and biopsies according to the Seattle protocol (4 quadrant biopsies every 2 cm of the BE segment). To compare this procedure with another endoscopic technology — narrow-band imaging (NBI) — for detection of intestinal metaplasia (IM) and neoplasia, investigators conducted a manufacturer-sponsored, multicenter, randomized, crossover trial.

Of 139 patients with BE who were randomized, 123 (93% male; 97% white; mean age, 61) underwent high-definition WLE (HD-WLE) with Seattle biopsy protocol or NBI w…

Reviewing Author

David A. Johnson, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory boardMedscape/WebMD; Pfizer; CRH Medical Corporation; Aries

EquityCRH Medical Corporation

Editorial boardsMedscape Gastroenterology

Leadership positions in professional societiesAmerican College of Gastroenterology Research Institute Board of Directors

David A. Johnson, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory boardMedscape/WebMD; Pfizer; CRH Medical Corporation; Aries

EquityCRH Medical Corporation

Editorial boardsMedscape Gastroenterology

Leadership positions in professional societiesAmerican College of Gastroenterology Research Institute Board of Directors