Search research articles

Search research articles

Related Experiment Videos

Physician accuracy in diagnosing colorectal polyps.

A V Neale, R Y Demers, H Budev

Diseases of the Colon and Rectum

|April 1, 1987

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Marasmus.

The Medical journal of the South-West·2017

Same author

Statutory or Voluntary.

The Medical journal of the South-West·2017

Same author

Some Notes of a Medical Visitor to the British West Indies.

The Medical journal of the South-West·2017

Same author

Medical Education.

The Medical journal of the South-West·2017

Same author

Tracking and interviewing clients at risk for HIV and substance abuse in a Latino community.

Evaluation and program planning·2013

Same author

The use of behavioral contracting to increase exercise activity.

American journal of health promotion : AJHP·2011

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Accurate diagnosis of colorectal polyps is crucial. Physicians correctly identified 80% of polyps, but experienced endoscopists misdiagnosed 31% of adenomas, highlighting the need for improved diagnostic accuracy.

Area of Science:

Gastroenterology
Endoscopic Diagnostics
Colorectal Cancer Screening

Background:

Accurate histological differentiation of colorectal polyps (adenomatous vs. hyperplastic) is critical for appropriate medical management.
Physician confidence in visual polyp diagnosis often exceeds available supporting data.
Flexible sigmoidoscopy is increasingly performed by primary care providers, potentially impacting diagnostic accuracy.

Purpose of the Study:

To evaluate the accuracy of physicians' visual diagnosis of colorectal polyp histology compared to definitive histologic examination.
To assess the sensitivity and specificity of experienced endoscopists in differentiating adenomatous from hyperplastic polyps.
To identify patterns of diagnostic errors and their correlation with polyp characteristics, such as size.

Main Methods:

Related Experiment Videos

A prospective study involving 718 participants in a colon cancer screening program.
Flexible sigmoidoscopy was used to detect colorectal polyps.
Visual diagnoses of polyp histology by experienced endoscopists were compared against subsequent histologic reports.

Main Results:

Overall, 80% of detected polyps were accurately diagnosed visually.
Diagnostic sensitivity for adenomas was 69%, and specificity for hyperplastic polyps was 86%.
Eight false-negative and eight false-positive diagnoses occurred, with errors often linked to polyp size and individual physician patterns.

Conclusions:

Visual diagnosis of colorectal polyp histology by experienced endoscopists has limitations, particularly for adenomas.
Diagnostic accuracy is influenced by polyp size, a factor critical for less experienced endoscopists.
Improved training and diagnostic tools are necessary to enhance the accuracy of polyp histology assessment during flexible sigmoidoscopy.