Red dichromatic imaging helps in detecting exposed blood vessels in gastric ulcer induced by endoscopic submucosal dissection

Delayed bleeding is one of the postoperative complications of gastric endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) [1]. The clipping of exposed blood vessels after ESD completion is effective in preventing delayed bleeding [2] [3]. However, the exposed blood vessels are sometimes difficult to detect. Herein we report the effectiveness of a novel image-enhanced endoscopic technology called red dichromatic imaging (or dual red imaging) for detecting exposed blood vessels and preventing delayed bleeding after gastric ESD.

A 61-year-old man had a 25-mm 0-IIc lesion located in the middle gastric body. We performed ESD using esophagogastroduodenoscopy (GIF-H290 T with EVIS X1 video system; Olympus Medical Systems, Tokyo, Japan). After completion of ESD, the scope was changed to a GIF-EZ1500, and the ESD-induced ulcer was observed ([Fig. 1 a], [Video 1]). We switched the white light imaging to red dichromatic imaging and the exposed blood vessels were more clearly visualized ([Fig. 1 b], [Video 1]). A blood vessel penetrating the muscle layer was covered with submucosal fibrous and fatty tissue, as observed by white light ( [Fig.2 a]). This blood vessel could be identified more clearly than the surrounding tissue using red dichromatic imaging ([Fig. 2 b]). We were able to easily detect the exposed blood vessels using red dichromatic imaging and then perform clipping (HX-610-090S; Olympus Medical Systems) ([Fig. 3]). The patient was discharged without delayed bleeding.

Fig. 1 Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD)-induced ulcer. a Observed using white light. b Observed using red dichromatic imaging.

Video 1 The observation of the exposed blood vessels in a gastric ulcer induced by endoscopic submucosal dissection using red dichromatic imaging.

Fig. 2 a The blood vessel penetrating the muscle layer was covered with submucosal and fatty tissue, as observed by white light. b The blood vessel could be identified more clearly than the surrounding tissue using red dichromatic imaging.

Fig. 3 Endoscopic submucosal dissection-induced ulcer after clipping.

Red dichromatic imaging is a novel image-enhanced endoscopic technology using three wavelengths (540 nm, 600 nm, and 630 nm). Its effectiveness for detecting bleeding vessels has been previously reported [4]. In this case, submucosal fibrous tissue, fatty tissue, and the muscle layer were identified as a whiter collar using red dichromatic imaging rather than white light. Red dichromatic imaging helped gain a clear endoscopic view during colorectal ESD with submucosal fatty tissue [5]. We were able to easily detect the exposed blood vessels using red dichromatic imaging because the color difference between the exposed blood vessels and surrounding tissue was clear.

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Publication History

Article published online:
17 December 2020

• References

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