内镜智能分光比色技术对大肠肿瘤性病变的诊断价值

目的探讨内镜智能分光比色技术（HCE）在诊断大肠肿瘤性病变的价值。方法581例患者进行常规内镜检查，其中197例入选。分别采用常规放大技术、HCE放大技术及染色放大技术对病变进行腺管开口分型及毛细血管形态观察，并与病理学诊断相比较。结果在197例病人中发现新生性病变398个，其中常规放大内镜下发现病变361个（90．8％），FICE放大模式下发现病变393（98．7％）。HCE放大内镜对肿瘤性及非肿瘤性判断符合率为90．2％（359／398），高于染色放大内镜82．4％（328／398）（P=0．001）。结论HCE放大内镜对大肠肿瘤性及非肿瘤性病变诊断的符合率高于普通放大内镜及染色放大内镜．有利于发现平坦型病变。     

窄带成像技术普通内镜与放大内镜对大肠肿瘤诊断价值的对比研究

目的 探讨窄带成像技术（NBI）模式下普通内镜和放大内镜对大肠肿瘤性与非肿瘤性病变的鉴别诊断价值.方法 选择2008年9月至2010年2月间内镜中心行NBI内镜检查发现的大肠新生性病变的患者,对发现的大肠新生性病变进行黏膜表面细微腺管开口形态分型及微血管形态分型,综合工藤进英腺管开口形态分型法与佐野宁微血管形态分型法进行诊断,将NBI内镜诊断结果与病理诊断结果进行对比分析.100例患者符合条件纳入研究,其中行NBI普通内镜64例,行NBI放大内镜36例.结果 排除不符合诊断标准的7例病例（NBI普通内镜5例,NBI放大内镜2例）,NBI内镜对大肠肿瘤性与非肿瘤性病变诊断的总符合率为91.4%（85/93）,其中NBI普通内镜为89.8%（53/59）,NBI放大内镜为94.1%（32/34）,均明显高于文献报道传统内镜的79.1%（P均＜0.05）,但NBI普通内镜与NBI放大内镜间比较差异无统计学意义（P＞0.05）.结论 与NBI放大内镜相似,NBI普通内镜也可比较准确地鉴别大肠肿瘤性与非肿瘤性病变.     

内镜醋酸染色结合窄带成像对大肠肿瘤性和非肿瘤性病变的鉴别诊断价值

目的 评价醋酸染色结合普通窄带成像(NBI)内镜观察对大肠新生性病变的病理组织学的预测能力.方法 105例接受结肠镜检查的患者,诊断大肠新生性病变148个,分别用普通白光、单一NBI及醋酸染色结合NBI的方法观察,根据腺管形态分型、微血管形态分型、黏膜白化时间预测病变为肿瘤性或非肿瘤性,并与病理结果对照判断其敏感度、特异度和准确率.结果 醋酸染色结合NBI对大肠肿瘤性病变诊断的总符合率为91.2％ (135/148),明显高于普通白光内镜的79.1％(117/148) (x2=8.649,P=0.003),高于单一NBI的86.5％(128/148),但醋酸染色结合NBI与单一NBI比较差异无统计学意义(x2=1.671,P=0.196).醋酸染色结合NBI的腺管形态分型、微血管形态分型、黏膜白化时间鉴别肿瘤性和非肿瘤性病变的敏感度分别是90.6％、94.1％、88.2％,特异度分别是90.5％、85.7％、92.1％,准确率分别是90.5％、90.5％、89.9％.结论 醋酸染色结合NBI对鉴别大肠肿瘤性或非肿瘤性病变具有可靠的诊断价值,可以初步判断病变的病理类型,对治疗方法的选择及疗效和预后的判断有指导意义.     

窄带成像放大内镜鉴别大肠肿瘤性与非肿瘤性病变的价值

目的 探讨窄带成像放大内镜（NBI—ME）鉴别大肠肿瘤性与非肿瘤性病变表面网状微血管结构改变的临床价值。方法选择常规内镜检出大肠肿瘤性、非肿瘤性病变144处（102例）,记录NBI—ME观察病变表面微血管结构（CP）形态和染色放大内镜观察病变黏膜表面腺管开口（pit）形态。分析pit周围CP形态变化,比较两者形态间的关系。所有病变经内镜或手术治疗后行组织病理学检查。结果常规内镜鉴别病变是否为肿瘤性的准确率75．7％、敏感性85．1％、特异性40．0％,明显低于NBI—ME和染色放大内镜（P〈0．005）,NBI—ME和染色放大内镜间则未见差异。CP分型与pit分型对照,CP—Ⅰ型、Ⅱ型、Ⅳ型、Ⅵa型分别与pitⅠ型、Ⅱ型、Ⅳ型、Ⅴ1型间一致性达100％。144处病变中,内镜治疗129处,手术治疗15处。组织病理学检查：非肿瘤性30处（增生性息肉17处、炎症性息肉13处）;肿瘤性114处（腺瘤95处、腺癌19处）。结论初步显示NBI—ME和染色放大内镜之间具有正相关性,两种检查方法互补可作为当前鉴别大肠病变是否为肿瘤性的重要手段。     

内镜窄带成像放大技术和染色放大技术诊断结直肠癌及其癌前病变的对比研究

目的 探讨窄带成像(NBI)放大内镜和染色放大内镜对结直肠肿瘤性和非肿瘤性病变的鉴别诊断价值.方法 75例患者92处病变分别在常规内镜模式、NBI放大模式及染色放大模式下进行观察,对发现的病变进行腺管开口分型及血管形态分型,将内镜诊断结果与病理诊断结果进行对比分析.结果 常规内镜检出87处(94.6％)病灶,NBI放大内镜检出90处(97.8％),染色放大内镜全部检出(100.0％).在病变轮廓、微血管形态的图像显示上NBI放大内镜明显优于染色放大内镜(P=0.000),在腺管开口形态的图像显示上NBI放大内镜与染色放大内镜比较差异无统计学意义(P=0.394).NBI放大内镜诊断结直肠肿瘤性病变的符合率、敏感度、特异度分别为91.3％(84/92)、83.9％ (26/31)、95.1％ (58/61),染色放大内镜则对应分别为89.1％(82/92)、80.6％(25/31)、93.4％(57/61),两者比较差异均无统计学意义(P＞0.05).结论 NBI放大内镜和染色放大内镜对结直肠肿瘤性、非肿瘤性病变的鉴别效果相似,但NBI放大内镜能更为清晰地显示病变轮廓、微血管形态,且操作转换简单快捷,更易于临床推广应用.     

内镜智能分光比色与染色技术对大肠肿瘤诊断价值的研究

目的 探讨内镜智能分光比色技术(FICE)与染色技术鉴别大肠肿瘤及非肿瘤性病变的价值.方法 选择2007年3月至2008年5月间245例入选病例,分别采用常规放大技术、FICE放大技术及染色放大技术对病变进行腺管开口分型及毛细血管形态观察,对病变做出诊断,并与病理组织学诊断相比较.结果 在245例患者中发现新生性病变480个,其中常规放大内镜下发现病变90.0%(432/480),FICE放大模式下发现病变98.8%(474/480),差异有统计学意义(P<0.01).FICE放大内镜比染色放大内镜更能清晰显示黏膜毛细血管结构形态(P<0.01),在显示腺管开口方面两者差异无统计学意义.FICE放大内镜对肿瘤性及非肿瘤性病变判断的符合率为92.2%(437/474),染色放大内镜符合率为81.0%(389/480),前者高于后者(P<0.01).结论 FICE放大内镜可以观察黏膜表面微细结构及毛细血管形态,比普通放大内镜及染色放大内镜对大肠肿瘤性及非肿瘤性病变鉴别诊断的符合率高,操作转换简便,可指导对病变进行靶向活检,有良好的临床实用价值.     

FICE技术在大肠病变腺管开口分型及毛细血管形态观察中的价值

目的: 探讨内镜智能分光比色技术(FICE)鉴别大肠肿瘤及非肿瘤性病变的价值.方法: 选择2007-03/2008-05在我院行结肠镜检查发现大肠新生物及息肉样病变者245例,分别采用常规放大技术、FICE放大技术及染色放大技术对病变进行腺管开口分型及毛细血管形态观察,对病变作出诊断,并与病理组织学诊断相比较.结果: 在245例患者中发现新生性病变480个,其中常规放大内镜较FICE放大模式发现病变差异有统计学意义(90.0%vs98.8%,P<0.01).FICE放大内镜比染色放大内镜更能清晰显示黏膜毛细血管结构形态(P<0.01),在显示腺管开口方面两者无统计学意义,且前者对大肠肿瘤性病变的诊断符合率、敏感性、特异性优于后者(92.2%VS 81.0%,95.3%VS 85.6%,88.4%vs 75.6%,均P<0.01).结论: FICE放大内镜对大肠肿瘤性病变诊断符合率高,操作简单,具有良好的临床实用价值.     

窄带成像技术诊断早期食管癌及其癌前病变的临床应用价值

目的探讨窄带成像技术（narrow-banding imaging，NBI）在早期食管癌及其癌前病变诊断中的临床应用价值。方法在白光和NBI模式下观察食管黏膜，记录病变的大小、范围，同时进行NBI分级。再应用NBI结合放大内镜观察病变部位上皮乳头内毛细血管袢（intrapapillary capillary loop，IPCL）形态，同时进行IPCL形态分型。最后应用1．2％碘液进行全食管染色，记录碘染色阳性部位大小、范围，并进行碘染色分级。对于NBI模式阴性而碘染色阳性的病变，再次应用NBI结合放大内镜进行检查。对所有NBI阳性及碘染色阳性部位均取活检。以病理结果作为诊断金标准，将其他检查结果与之作对照。结果（1）应用白光、NBI模式及碘染色检查72例患者中共发现104个病变。其中自光模式下，高年资和低年资内镜医师对病变检出率分别为82．7％（86／104）和70．2％（73／104）；应用NBI模式及碘染色后两位医师对病变的检出率相同，NBI模式均为86．5％（90／104），碘染色均为100．0％。（2）所有高级别黏膜内瘤变碘染色阳性，其中83．0％（39／47）碘染色分级为Ⅰ级；所有低级别黏膜内瘤变碘染色也为阳性，但其中87．2％（41／47）碘染色分级为Ⅱ、Ⅲ级。（3）91．5％（43／47）高级别黏膜内瘤变NBI阳性，其中69．8％（30／43）NBI分级为Ⅰ级；57．4％（27／47）低级别黏膜内瘤变NBI阳性，其中85．2％（23／27）NBI分级为Ⅱ、Ⅲ级。（4）93．6％（44／47）高级别黏膜内瘤变IPCL形态异常，其中88．6％（39／44）IPCL分型为Ⅳ、Ⅴ型；76．6％（36／47）低级别黏膜内瘤变IPCL形态异常，其中77．8％（28／36）IPCL分型为Ⅱ、Ⅲ型。结论与白光模式相比，NBI模式与碘染色均可增强病变的识别性，提高内镜医师对病变的检出率。NBI结合放大内镜可提高对高级别黏膜内瘤变诊断的符合率，效果与碘染色相当。NBI在早期食管癌及癌前病变诊断有一定的临床应用价值。     

窄带成像技术普通内镜诊断大肠肿瘤的价值

目的探讨窄带成像技术普通内镜（NBI）诊断大肠肿瘤的临床价值。方法 2012年6月至2012年8月行常规内镜和NBI普通内镜检查的患者225例,对发现的大肠新生性病变记录腺管开口形态,将NBI内镜诊断和病理组织学诊断结果进行对比分析,并比较NBI内镜与常规内镜在鉴别肿瘤性和非肿瘤性病变的敏感性、特异性和准确性。结果 NBI普通内镜对腺管开口类型的判断接近病理水平,鉴别病变是否为肿瘤的敏感性、特异性、准确率分别为93.6%,91.7%和93.0%,显著高于常规内镜（P〈0.01）。结论 NBI普通内镜能较准确判断病变的性质,为鉴别是否为肿瘤性病变的更有效的内镜方法。     

染色放大内镜下大肠黏膜表面微细结构改变及其临床病理意义

目的通过染色放大内镜观察不同大肠黏膜病变的Pitpattern形态,探讨其在早期大肠癌诊断中的应用价值。方法应用染色放大内镜对146例患者的大肠黏膜进行细微结构形态学观察,并与观察部位活检所得的病理组织学改变进行比较分析。结果 146例患者中放大内镜检出息肉172枚,经0.2%的靛胭脂染色放大后又发现0.1～0.5cm大小的息肉84枚,共计息肉样病变256枚。染色放大内镜可明显提高息肉病变的检出率。各种腺管开口分型的病理诊断结果构成差异有显著性,Ⅰ～Ⅴ分型与病变严重程度之间呈明显正相关。染色放大内镜对大肠肿瘤性病变诊断符合率89.5%、敏感性82.2%、特异性92.3%,放大内镜诊断符合率71.5%、敏感性61.8%、特异性77.9%,染色放大内镜对大肠肿瘤性疾病诊断与放大内镜相比差异具有统计学意义（P〈0.01）。结论染色放大内镜对大肠肿瘤的诊断优于放大内镜,能够提高大肠癌的早期诊断率,从而为大肠癌及其癌前病变的内镜下正确处理提供快速而准确的依据。     

A prospective comparative study of narrow-band imaging, chromoendoscopy, and conventional colonoscopy in the diagnosis of colorectal neoplasia

BACKGROUND: Discrimination between neoplastic and non-neoplastic lesions is crucial in colorectal cancer screening. Application of narrow-band imaging (NBI) in colonoscopy visualises mucosal vascular networks in neoplastic lesions and may improve diagnostic accuracy. AIM: To compare the diagnostic efficacy of NBI in differentiating neoplastic from non-neoplastic colorectal lesions with diagnostic efficacies of standard modalities, conventional colonoscopy, and chromoendoscopy. METHODS: In this prospective study, 180 colorectal lesions from 133 patients were observed with conventional colonoscopy, and under low-magnification and high-magnification NBI and chromoendoscopy. Lesions were resected for histopathological analysis. Endoscopic images were stored electronically and randomly allocated to two readers for evaluation. Sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic accuracy of each endoscopic modality were assessed by reference to histopathology. RESULTS: NBI and chromoendoscopy scored better under high magnification than under low magnification in comparison with conventional colonoscopy. The diagnostic accuracy of NBI with low or high magnification was significantly higher than that of conventional colonoscopy (low magnification: p = 0.0434 for reader 1 and p = 0.004 for reader 2; high magnification: p<0.001 for both readers) and was comparable to that of chromoendoscopy. CONCLUSION: Both low-magnification and high-magnification NBI were capable of distinguishing neoplastic from non-neoplastic colorectal lesions; the diagnostic accuracy of NBI was better than that of conventional colonoscopy and equivalent to that of chromoendoscopy. The role of NBI in screening colonoscopy needs further evaluation.     

窄带成像技术在大肠肿瘤性病变与非肿瘤性病变的鉴别诊断中的价值

目的探讨窄带成像技术(narrow band imaging,NBI)在大肠肿瘤性病变与非肿瘤性病变的鉴别诊断中的价值。方法收集2010年1月-2013年10月在梧州红十字会医院内镜室进行结肠镜检查的患者98例,通过普通肠镜、NBI检查结果与病理学检查结果进行对比分析,鉴别诊断大肠肿瘤性病变与非肿瘤性病变。结果 98例患者中共发现136个病变。普通内镜诊断肿瘤性病变的敏感性、特异性及准确性分别为75.5%、78.6%及76.5%;NBI诊断肿瘤性病变的敏感性、特异性及准确性分别为95.7%、95.2%及95.6%,后者明显高于前者,差异有统计学意义(P0.01)。病变轮廓、pit及CP显示清晰度比较,NBI明显优于普通内镜,差异均有统计学意义(P0.01)。结论相对于普通内镜,NBI内镜能更清晰地显示病变的轮廓、腺管开口的分型及微血管的形态,在大肠肿瘤性病变与非肿瘤性病变的鉴别诊断中有重要价值。     

Comparative study of conventional colonoscopy, chromoendoscopy, and narrow-band imaging systems in differential diagnosis of neoplastic and nonneoplastic colonic polyps

AIM: To identify the feasibility of the narrow-band imaging (NBI) method compared with that of conventional colonoscopy and chromoendoscopy for distinguishing neoplastic and nonneoplastic colonic polyps. METHOD: This study enrolled consecutive patients who underwent colonoscopy using a conventional colonoscope between January and February 2006 at Chang-Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou Medical Center, Taiwan. These 78 patients had 110 colorectal polyps. During the procedure, conventional colonoscopy first detected lesions, and then the NBI system was used to examine the capillary networks. Thereafter indigo carmine (0.2%) was sprayed directly on the mucosa surface prior to evaluating the crypts using a conventional colonoscope. The pit patterns were characterized using the classification system proposed by Kudo. Finally, a polypectomy or biopsy was performed for histological diagnosis. RESULTS: Of the 110 colorectal polyps, 65 were adenomas, 40 were hyperplastic polyps, and five were adenocarcinomas. The NBI system and pit patterns for all lesions were analyzed. For differential diagnosis of neoplastic (adenoma and adenocarcinoma) and nonneoplastic (hyperplastic) polyps, the sensitivity of the conventional colonoscope for detecting neoplastic polyps was 82.9%, specificity was 80.0% and diagnostic accuracy was 81.8%, significantly lower than those achieved with the NBI system (sensitivity 95.7%, specificity 87.5%, accuracy 92.7%) and chromoendoscopy (sensitivity 95.7%, specificity 87.5%, accuracy 92.7%). Therefore, no significant difference existed between the NBI system and chromoendoscopy during differential diagnosis of neoplastic and nonneoplastic polyps. CONCLUSION: The NBI system identified morphological details that correlate well with polyp histology by chromoendoscopy.     

高清不放大窄带成像内镜对大肠隆起性病变的鉴别诊断作用

目的评价窄带成像技术(NBI)普通内镜在大肠隆起样病变诊断中价值。方法应用NBI普通内镜观察了80例患者共103个大肠隆起样病变的表面腺管开口形态。根据工藤进英腺管开口形态分型法,将NBI内镜诊断结果与病理检查结果进行比较。结果普通肠镜发现隆起样病变的敏感性为80.0%(80/103),切换NBI后,能清楚显示隆起样病变的形态和边界,发现隆起样病变的敏感性为100%(103/103);NBI普通内镜观察隆起样病变腺管开口,根据工藤进英腺管开口形态分型法进行诊断,其中腺管开口呈Ⅱ型18例,Ⅲ(L)型54例,Ⅳ型15例,Ⅴ型16例。NBI普通内镜对于大肠隆起性病变肿瘤及非肿瘤性的鉴别诊断的敏感性、特异性分别为95.3%(81/85)、83.3%(15/18)、NBI普通内镜对于大肠隆起性病变肿瘤及非肿瘤性的鉴别诊断的符合率为93.2%(96/103),与文献报道的NBI放大内镜的94.1%无统计学差异(P0.05)。结论应用NBI普通内镜,也可以通过观察腺管开口形态,比较准确地鉴别诊断大肠肿瘤与非肿瘤病变。     

窄带成像结肠镜对结肠息肉样病变的诊断价值

探讨窄带成像（NBI）结肠镜对结肠息肉样病变的病理组织类型的预测能力.方法 125例患者接受结肠镜检查诊断结肠息肉样病变173个,根据腺管开口形态及NBI下血管分型判定该病变为肿瘤性病变（结肠腺瘤、结肠癌）或非肿瘤性病变,并与病理结果对照,判定各种方法的敏感性、特异性及准确率.结果 NBI下血管形态鉴别肿瘤性或非肿瘤性病变的敏感性、特异性及准确率（94.83%、91.23%、93.64%）以及隐窝形态结合血管形态鉴别肿瘤性或非肿瘤性病变的敏感性、特异性及准确率（95.69%、96.49%、95.59%）显著高于常规内镜（80.17%、84.21%、81.50%）（P〈0.05）.血管形态鉴别腺瘤与结肠癌的敏感性、特异性、准确率为86.90%、100.00%、87.93%.结论 NBI模式下结肠镜检查对息肉样病变的肿瘤性、非肿瘤性,结肠腺瘤、结肠癌的鉴别优于常规内镜检查,接近病理学检查.     

Computed virtual chromoendoscopy for classification of small colorectal lesions: a prospective comparative study

OBJECTIVES: Standard colonoscopy offers no reliable discrimination between neoplastic and nonneoplastic colorectal lesions. Computed virtual chromoendoscopy with the Fujinon intelligent color enhancement (FICE) system is a new dyeless imaging technique that enhances mucosal and vascular patterns. This prospective trial compared the feasibility of FICE, standard colonoscopy, and conventional chromoendoscopy with indigo carmine in low- and high-magnification modes for determination of colonic lesion histology. METHODS: Sixty-three patients with 150 flat or sessile lesions less than 20 mm in diameter were enrolled. At colonoscopy, each lesion was observed with six different endoscopic modalities: standard colonoscopy, FICE, and conventional chromoendoscopy with indigo carmine (0.2%) dye spraying in both low- and high-magnification modes. Histopathology of all lesions was confirmed by evaluation of endoscopic resection or biopsy specimens. Endoscopic images were stored electronically and randomly allocated to a blinded reader. RESULTS: Of the 150 polyps, 89 were adenomas and 61 were hyperplastic polyps with an average size of 7 mm. For identifying adenomas, the FICE system with low and high magnifications revealed a sensitivity of 89.9% and 96.6%, specificity of 73.8% and 80.3%, and diagnostic accuracy of 83% and 90%, respectively. Compared with standard colonoscopy, the sensitivity and diagnostic accuracy achieved by FICE were significantly better under both low (P < 0.02) and high (P < 0.03) magnification and were comparable to that of conventional chromoendoscopy. CONCLUSIONS: The FICE system identified morphological details that efficiently predict adenomatous histology. For distinguishing neoplastic from nonneoplastic lesions, FICE was superior to standard colonoscopy and equivalent to conventional chromoendoscopy.     

窄带成像技术在结直肠肿瘤性与非肿瘤性病变诊断中的临床应用价值

目的探讨内镜窄带成像技术(NBI)在结直肠肿瘤性及非肿瘤性病变诊断中的临床价值.方法选择2010年2月至2011年3月常规结肠镜检查发现的结直肠肿瘤性与非肿瘤性病变75个(60例).发现病变后分别采用常规模式、NBI模式及染色方法对病变轮廓、黏膜表面腺管开口(PIT)及微血管(CP)形态进行观察,与病理检查结果进行对比...     

Conventional colonoscopy and magnified chromoendoscopy for the endoscopic histological prediction of diminutive colorectal polyps： A single operator study

AIM: To accurately differentiate the adenomatous from the non-adenomatous polyps by colonoscopy. METHODS: All lesions detected by colonoscopy were first diagnosed using the conventional view followed by chromoendoscopy with magnification. The diagnosis at each step was recorded consecutively. All polyps were completely removed endoscopically for histological evaluation. The accuracy rate of each type of endoscopic diagnosis was evaluated, using histological findings as gold standard. RESULTS: A total of 240 lesions were identified, of which 158 (65.8%) were non-neoplastic and 82 (34.2%) were adenomatous. The overall diagnostic accuracy of conventional view, and chromoendoscopy with magnification was 76.3% (183/240) and 95.4% (229/240), respectively (P< 0.001) CONCLUSION: The combination of colonoscopy and magnified chromoendoscopy is the most reliable non-biopsy method for distinguishing the non-neoplastic from the neoplastic lesions.     

Efficacy of high magnification chromoscopic colonoscopy for the diagnosis of neoplasia in flat and depressed lesions of the colorectum: a prospective analysis

BACKGROUND: High magnification chromoscopic colonoscopy (HMCC) permits the in vivo examination of the colorectal pit pattern, which has a high correlation with stereomicroscopic appearances of resected specimens. This new technology may provide an "optical biopsy" which can be used to aid diagnostic precision and guide therapeutic strategies. Conflicting data exist concerning the accuracy of this technique when discriminating neoplastic from non-neoplastic lesions, particularly when flat and depressed. AIM: To prospectively examine the efficacy of HMCC for the diagnosis of neoplasia in flat and depressed colorectal lesions using standardised morphological, pit pattern, and histopathological criteria. Clinical recommendations for the use of HMCC are made. METHODS: Total colonoscopy was performed on 1850 patients by a single endoscopist from January 2001 to July 2003 using the C240Z magnifying colonoscope. Identified lesions were classed according to the Japanese Research Society guidelines, and pit pattern according to Kudos modified criteria. Pit pattern appearances were then compared with histopathology. RESULTS: A total of 1008 flat lesions were identified. The sensitivity and specificity of HMCC in distinguishing non-neoplastic from neoplastic lesions were 98% and 92%, respectively. However, when using HMCC to differentiate neoplastic/non-invasive from neoplastic/invasive lesions, sensitivity was poor (50%) with a specificity of 98%. Diagnostic accuracy was not influenced by size or morphological classification of lesions. CONCLUSION: HMCC has a high overall accuracy at discriminating neoplastic from non-neoplastic lesions but is not 100% accurate. HMCC is a useful diagnostic tool in vivo but presently is not a replacement for histology. Requirements for further education and training in these techniques need to be addressed.