Use of fluorescent electronic endoscopy in the evaluation of peptic ulcers

Serial changes in the color tone of the mucosa after fluorescein administration in patients with peptic ulcers were evaluated using an electronic endoscope. In the healing and scar (S1) stage of a peptic ulcer, more intense fluorescence was observed in the lesion than in the surrounding normal mucosa shortly after intravenous injection of fluorescein. On processing of the electronic endoscopic fluorescent images using HSI transformation the difference between the lesion and normal areas could be clearly identified. This difference in the fluorescent image between the lesion and the surrounding normal mucosa may be associated with changes in the mucosal blood flow and cellular functions in the lesion. Fluorescent electronic endoscopy with fluorescein thus seems to be a useful technique for examination of the gastrointestinal mucosa.