High-sensitivity FEES^® with the professional image enhancement technology "PIET"

Area of Science:

• Otolaryngology
• Gastroenterology
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Flexible endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES) is a standard diagnostic tool for dysphagia.
• Narrow band imaging (NBI) enhances FEES by providing more precise and detailed investigations.
• The professional image enhancement technique (PIET) offers a new image-enhancing system for endoscopic procedures.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the eligibility and efficacy of PIET in FEES procedures.
• To compare PIET with NBI for image enhancement during FEES.
• To determine if PIET can serve as an alternative to NBI in FEES.

Main Methods:

• Comparison of NBI and PIET using a target system for objective image analysis.
• Performance and recording of image enhancement with both PIET and NBI during routine FEES procedures in daily practice.
• Evaluation of image quality, brightness, and detail provided by each system.

Main Results:

• Both PIET and NBI can be utilized for image enhancement during FEES.
• PIET demonstrated a brighter and more detailed image compared to NBI on the target system.
• No significant difference in image enhancement effectiveness was detected between PIET and NBI in dysphagia patients.

Conclusions:

• PIET is non-inferior to NBI for image enhancement in FEES procedures.
• PIET provides a viable alternative endoscopy technology for specific indications in FEES.
• This expands the options for image-enhanced FEES beyond NBI.