New techniques in imaging in Barrett's esophagus

Abstract

The presence of dysplasia in patients with Barrett's esophagus identifies who is at increased risk for the development of esophageal adenocarcinoma and who may most benefit from intervention. Several technologies have emerged as potent tools to identify subtle or occult neoplasia in the gastrointestinal tract. Detailed inspection of the mucosa with high resolution white light endoscopy is the most critical tool to detect subtle neoplasia. This review also chromoendoscopy, narrow band imaging, autofluorescence imaging, optical coherence tomography, confocal laser endomicroscopy, and spectroscopy in the context of detection of neoplasia in Barrett's esophagus.