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Updated: Apr 18, 2026

Diagnosis of Neoplasia in Barrett’s Esophagus using Vital-dye Enhanced Fluorescence Imaging
Published on: May 11, 2014
Magnification endoscopy in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma: a review of the intrapapillary capillary loop
Haruhiro Inoue1, Makoto Kaga1, Haruo Ikeda1
1Digestive Disease Center, Showa University Koto-Toyosu Hospital, Tokyo, Japan (Haruhiro Inoue, Makoto Kaga, Haruo Ikeda, Chiaki Sato, Hiroki Sato, Hitomi Minami, Esperanza Grace Santi, Nikolas Eleftheriadis).
Abstract:
Recent developments in image-enhancement technology have enabled clear visualization of the microvascular structure of the esophageal mucosa. In particular, intrapapillary capillary loops (IPCLs) are observed as brown loops on magnification endoscopy with narrow-band imaging (NBI). IPCLs demonstrate characteristic morphological changes according to the structural irregularity of esophageal epithelium and cancer infiltration, summarized in the IPCL classification. In this review, the process from the first endoscopic description of IPCLs to the eventual development of the IPCL classification is described and discussed, particularly focusing on early stage squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus.
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