[Novel endoscopic optical techniques for the detection of early gastrointestinal neoplasia]

The prognosis of gastrointestinal neoplasia is dependent on the stage of the disease at the time of detection. Early detection of neoplasia is a prerequsite for patients, better prognosis and longer survival. For today's endoscopist, imaging of the gastrointestinal tract is best done using CCD-equipped white-light videoendoscopy. In recent years, several new techniques have been introduced to improve the detection of early lesions. The most important improvement has been the introduction ofhigh-resolution/high-definition/magnification endoscopy into daily clinical practice. Important adjuncts to white-light videoendocopy are NBI, chromoendoscopy and virtual chromoendoscopy serving as "red-flag" techniques and potentially broad field functional imaging techniques such as autofluorescence endoscopy. Furthermore, in-vivo histopathology during endoscopy has become possible with endocytoscopy and confocal endomicroscopy. The value of these new techniques will have to be proven in randomised cross-over trials.