Clinical Endoscopy最新文献

Computer-aided quality control (CAQ) systems are redefining colonoscopy by enabling the objective evaluation of procedural metrics and providing real-time feedback. This review explores the clinical utility, implementation barriers, and future prospects of CAQ, with an emphasis on its role in standardizing quality assessment and enhancing patient outcomes. A systematic search of PubMed (inception to January 2025) identified 66 relevant publications, including eight systematic reviews or meta-analyses, seven randomized controlled trials, and five cohort studies, in addition to validation and observational reports. CAQ systems improve traditional quality indicators such as withdrawal time, bowel preparation scores, and cecal intubation rates (CIRs). Emerging metrics-including effective withdrawal time, fold examination quality, and withdrawal speed-offer novel, quantifiable insights. Artificial intelligence-assisted colonoscopy consistently increases adenoma detection rates (from 38.5% to 47.9%) and extends withdrawal time (from 5.68 to 7.03 minutes). Automated systems achieve high accuracy in bowel preparation scoring (93.3%), cecal intubation recognition (95.5%), and surveillance interval assignment (92.0%), thereby addressing persistent gaps in documentation and follow-up care. CAQ systems hold transformative promise for improving colonoscopy quality. Addressing implementation challenges-including false positives, clinician adoption, cost, and regulatory issues-is essential. Future research should emphasize comparative effectiveness, standardized metrics, and large-scale clinical integration to help reduce the burden of colorectal cancer.

Ulcerative colitis, a chronic inflammatory bowel disease, is characterized by subtle microvascular alterations that play a critical role in disease perpetuation and mucosal injury. Recent advances in image-enhanced endoscopy and ultrahigh-magnification endoscopy have improved the real-time visualization of these vascular changes while highlighting their diagnostic value. Artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled endoscopic systems provide automated, reproducible vascular assessments. Emerging data suggest that AI-based vascular healing correlates with clinical remission and may alter histological scores, enabling the prediction of sustained remission. Despite these promising advances, challenges remain, such as standardizing vascular healing definitions, addressing interobserver variability, and validating AI-driven platforms in real-world settings. Integrating microvascular-targeted therapies and advanced imaging has the potential to transform the management of ulcerative colitis, facilitating sustained remission and improving the quality of life. This review examined the evolving role of microvascular assessment in ulcerative colitis, the potential of AI in refining endoscopic evaluation, and the prospects of incorporating vascular healing as a therapeutic target.

Malignant hilar biliary obstruction (MHO), most commonly caused by cholangiocarcinoma, is an aggressive condition with a poor prognosis. Because most patients with MHO are unsuitable for primary surgical resection at presentation because of advanced age or comorbidities, palliative biliary drainage is essential to relieve obstructive jaundice and improve the quality of life. Endoscopic drainage has become the preferred palliative approach, with the choice between plastic and metal stents depending on subsequent therapeutic plans, such as systemic chemotherapy or local ablative therapies. Among biliary stents, self-expandable metal stents (SEMSs) are widely used, typically in their uncovered form. However, unlike plastic stents, uncovered SEMSs cannot be removed once deployed, and endoscopic revision is technically challenging. To improve stent patency and facilitate removability, covered SEMSs (CSEMSs) were developed, and are now commonly used in distal malignant biliary obstruction. Nevertheless, in advanced MHO, the primary use of CSEMSs remains controversial. This review summarizes recent endoscopic strategies for advanced MHO, the evolution of CSEMSs, their clinical outcomes, current limitations, and future directions.

The fecal immunochemical test (FIT) is a widely used non-invasive screening method for colorectal cancer (CRC) in many countries, valued for its simplicity, affordability, and reasonable sensitivity. Typically recommended on an annual or biennial basis, the FIT is effective in reducing CRC incidence and mortality by facilitating early detection. Stool DNA tests, including multitarget DNA tests and DNA methylation assays, demonstrate higher sensitivity than FIT for CRC and advanced adenomas, although they have slightly lower specificity and higher cost. These tests are generally performed at longer intervals, such as every 3 years, and are useful alternatives for individuals who are unwilling or unable to undergo a colonoscopy. Emerging non-invasive CRC screening tools, such as liquid biopsy, microRNA, microbiome tests, and urine-based tests, are being developed to improve patient compliance and test convenience. In particular, liquid biopsy offers a minimally invasive option that may be more acceptable to populations hesitant to undergo stool-based tests. Furthermore, the integration of machine learning with metagenomic sequencing data has shown promise in distinguishing patients with CRC from healthy individuals. As CRC screening evolves, these novel approaches may enable the development of more personalized, accessible, and effective screening strategies, ultimately improving adherence and reducing CRC-related mortality.