[Chromoendoscopic diagnosis of Barrett's esophagus]

Some kinds of chromoendoscopy have been reported to survey the cases with Barrett's esophagus more effectively, since random biopsy as a gold standard is not an ideal method from the viewpoint of safety, labor or cost effectiveness. Methylene blue (MB) chromoendoscopy has been reported that a targeted biopsy is possible to limit because MB only stains non-dysplastic Barrett's mucosa but not dysplastic one. However, many of supplementary studies have not agreed this recommendation. Crystal violet (CV) chromoendoscopy clearly stains Barrett's mucosa and makes a detailed observation of pit pattern possible. The availability of this method is required a further mass survey although CV chromoendoscopy has been reported to be effective in Barrett's screening. Other chromoendoscopic methods using indigo carmine or fluorescence dye also have been reported to be effective for discovering a dysplastic lesion by some investigator, but the efficacy has not been sufficiently evidenced. Conclusively, chromoendoscopic diagnosis of Barrett's esophagus has not yet got a consensus in the availability for Barrett's surveillance at present in Barrett's Esophagus Chicago Workshop 2003 of AGA.