[Novel imaging methods in endoscopic diagnosis of gastrointestinal tumors]

Advances in imaging, digitization and all kinds of technologies result in development of potentially efficient imaging modalities, which enable magnification to subcellular levels, color differentiation and observation of pathophysiological processes. NBI, FICE, I-scan and KFE are new commercially available modalities.NBI is the most explored one. Its contribution has been shown in diagnosis of Barrett's neoplasia and esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and in characterization of early stomach cancer. It enables rather accurate characterization of changes in adenomatous colonic polyps; however it is not used for this purpose in clinical practice. It can demonstrate atrophy of small bowel mucosa in celiac disease, but it is not able to evaluate intraepithelial lymphocytosis. Its contribution in dysplasia detection in inflammatory bowel disease is not significant; chromoendoscopy remains the gold standard.The use of CFE remains experimental; the routine use is limited also due to its high cost.