Last week, we spoke of a very commonly discussed procedure. An endoscopy is commonly used in the gastroenterology field due to the complexity and lack of visibly externally. Today, we are continuing the discussion by sharing about linked color imaging and the success of doctors detecting polyps with this modality.

It is old time saying: “newer is not always better.” This is a reoccurring theme in many fields, especially in the medical field.  For some doctors, they look into newer methods of performing procedures.

However, some opt to stick with another common saying: “If it’s not broken, don’t fix it.” It really ends up being left to the doctors to decide whether or not they will implement new methods. For endoscopies, there have been debates whether or not linked-color imaging is more successful at detecting polyps than narrow band imaging.

Linked color imaging:

This new image enhanced endoscopy system accentuates blood vessels and patterns on the mucosal surface. In doing so, it emphasizes the redness. This contrast may truly enhance the detection of polyps.

LBI may also enhance detection of serrated lesions. Compared to white light endoscopy, linked color imaging was proven superior for detecting polyps.

However, there has been no even study comparing linked color imaging, narrow band imaging, and other image enhanced systems according to Dr. Leung of Gastroenterology and Endoscopy News. Narrow band imaging is also referred to as NBI for short. Linked band imaging is also shortened as LBI just in case you happen to read up on these topics and see these abbreviations.

A new study:

In a recent study at the 2019 Digestive Disease week, doctors compared the performance of narrow band imaging and linked color imaging, NBI greatly outperformed linked color imaging for detecting colorectal polyps and adenomas. Colorectal adenomas are benign granular tumors of the colon and rectum.

Doctors report that narrow band imaging detected significantly more polyps, serrated adenomas, and adenomas than LBI detected. However, this study also stated that both modalities missed a frightening amount of lesions. Narrow band imaging and linked color imaging missed about twenty percent of polyps and over twenty-six percent of advanced adenomas.

There was a study of new prospective, randomized colonoscopy which compared the rates of polyp detection and misses for linked color imaging and new band imaging. In this study, there were two-hundred seventy-two patients which underwent tandem colonoscopy to evaluate symptoms.

The hundreds of patients underwent colonoscopy also for screening and surveillance. LBI was way more likely to miss lesions. We hope you learned a little bit about the behind the scenes most patients never really think about unless faced with frightening outcomes.

Follow up on your digestive health:

Entrust Gastroenterology Consultants of Central Florida for detecting any concerns coming your way such as polyps, lesions, or adenomas. Make an appointment and check out our practice areas if you have not ever been seen by a gastroenterologist. Digestive health can positively affect your overall quality of life.

Enjoy your holiday season! We hope to see you in next year in 2020.

Staff Writer