Endoscopic imaging in Barrett's esophagus: current practice and future applications

Abstract

Barrett's esophagus (BE) is a condition that develops as a consequence of chronic gastroesophageal reflux disease in which stratified squamous epithelium is replaced by metaplastic columnar epithelium which in turn predisposes to the development of adenocarcinoma of esophagus. In this review article, we discuss recent advances in the endoscopic imaging techniques for the detection of dysplasia and early carcinoma in BE. This will include some of the current available novel technologies as well as future applications specifically concentrating on high-resolution endoscopy, narrow band imaging, chromoendoscopy, confocal laser endomicroscopy and autofluorescence imaging.

Keywords Barrett's esophagus, autofluorescence imaging, chromoendoscopy, confocal laser endomicroscopy, high-resolution endoscopy, narrow band imaging, optical coherence tomography
Ann Gastroenterol 2012; 25 (2): 89-95