Neue endoskopische Methoden zur Schleimhautbeurteilung im Gastrointestinaltrakt

Technical innovations in endoscopy aim at enhanced detection and characterization of lesions of the gastrointestinal tract. High resolution endoscopy has become part of routine endoscopy and has been associated with higher detection rates in some but not all trials. Optical or software-based methods of surface contrast enhancement (e.g. NBI, i-scan, FICE) are mainly used for detailed characterization of lesions. Chromoendoscopy by topical application of intravital dyes still plays a role in detection and characterization of suspicious mucosal areas. Microscopic endoscopy methods, such as endomicroscopy and endocytoscopy not only try to predict the histology but are able to visualize pathologies at cellular and sub-cellular levels.