Abstract
BackgroundNarrow-band imaging (NBI) highlights the surface structures and vessels of colorectal polyps and is useful for determining the polyp histology. The narrow-band imaging international colorectal endoscopic (NICE) classification is a diagnostic tool for determining colorectal polyp histology based on NBI without optical magnification. In this study, we aimed to investigate the value of each type of the NICE classification for determining colorectal polyp histology using endoscopy data accumulated in a clinical setting.MethodsEndoscopy data for 534 colorectal polyps (316 patients) treated at our facility were retrospectively analyzed. First, we investigated the diagnostic performance of each type of the NICE classification for the optical diagnosis of colorectal polyp histology. The procedures were performed by experienced endoscopists using high-definition colonoscopy without optical magnification. Second, inter-observer and intra-observer agreements were assessed after providing experts and non-experts with a short lecture on the NICE classification. Using 50 fine NBI images of colorectal polyps without optical magnification, the inter-observer and intra-observer agreements between five experts and five non-experts were assessed.ResultsThe sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy values were 86.0%, 99.6%, and 98.5% for NICE type 1 lesions; 99.2%, 85.2%, and 97.8% for NICE type 2 lesions; and 81.8%, 99.6%, and 99.3% for NICE type 3 lesions, respectively. The inter-observer and intra-observer agreements ranged from substantial to excellent for both experts and non-experts.ConclusionsThe NICE classification had good diagnostic ability in terms of determining the polyp histology and demonstrated a high level of reproducibility among experts and non-experts. Thus, the NICE classification is a useful clinical tool that can be used without optical magnification.
Highlights
Narrow-band imaging (NBI) highlights the surface structures and vessels of colorectal polyps and is useful for determining the polyp histology
This study aimed to determine the value of the narrow-band imaging international colorectal endoscopic (NICE) classification in NBI-assisted optical diagnosis of colorectal polyp histology by analyzing endoscopy data accumulated at our facility in a clinical setting
Two major findings of this study were as follows: First, this study demonstrated a good diagnostic outcome of each type of the NICE classification for determining polyp histology by evaluating the endoscopy data accumulated in a clinical setting
Summary
Narrow-band imaging (NBI) highlights the surface structures and vessels of colorectal polyps and is useful for determining the polyp histology. The narrow-band imaging international colorectal endoscopic (NICE) classification is a diagnostic tool for determining colorectal polyp histology based on NBI without optical magnification. Colorectal polyps are routinely sent for pathological evaluation because pathological diagnosis is reliable for determining the appropriate interval until the surveillance colonoscopy [3]. If optical diagnosis via endoscopy can produce a diagnostic outcome equivalent to that of pathological evaluation, unnecessary removal of colorectal polyps may be avoided with significant reduction in medical costs. Narrow-band imaging (NBI) is a diagnostic tool for visualizing the vessels and surface patterns of colorectal polyps. Many studies have reported the efficacy of NBI-assisted optical diagnosis of colorectal polyp histology [5,6,7]. There has been a need for a novel NBI classification that does not require optical magnification
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
