| Theme |
Current Status of Magnifying Endoscopy |
| Title |
Diagnosis of Microvascular Patterns in Superficial Esophageal Lesions, Employing Magnifying Endoscopy |
| Author |
Miwako Arima |
Department of Gastroenterology, Saitama Cancer Center |
| Author |
Hideaki Arima |
Arima Surgical-Gastrointestinal Clinic |
| Author |
Masahiro Tada |
Department of Gastroenterology, Saitama Cancer Center |
| [ Summary ] |
We examined whether microvascular patterns seen with magnifying endoscopy could be used to estimate superficial esophageal lesions. Microvascular patterns seen with magnifying endoscopy were classified into four types. Type 1 was characterized by thin, linear capillaries in the subepithelial papilla and was generally seen in normal mucosa. Type 2 was characterized by distended, dilated vessels and the shape of capillaries in the subepithelial papilla was preserved. Type 2 was generally seen in inflammatory lesions. Type 3 was characterized by spiral vessels with an irregular caliber, and crushed vessels with red spots. The arrangement of the vessels was also irregular. Type 3 was generally seen in m1 or m2 cancers. Type 4 was characterized by multi-layered, irregularly branched, reticular vessels with an irregular caliber. Type 4 was generally seen in cancers with deep m2 or deeper invasion. Avascular areas (AVAs) and stretched type 4 vessels were seen in cancers with downward growth. The size of AVAs was closely related to the depth of cancer invasion. The size of AVAs and associated type 4 vessels can be used to assess the extent and depth of tumor invasion. Histopathological features of superficial esophageal cancers can be diagnosed by evaluating microvascular patterns seen with magnifying endoscopy. |