Introduction
Polyp identification and resection is an important and recognized quality indicator
in colonoscopy. Removal of colonic polyps has been shown to clearly reduce incidence
and mortality from colorectal cancer and forms the basis for all colorectal cancer
screening programmes [1]. Consensus guidelines frequently demand a minimum adenoma detection rate (ADR) of
between 15 % and 30 % in screening populations [2]
[3]
[4]. Lower ADRs have been associated with a higher risk of interval cancer, with an
ADR greater than 20 % significant for reducing interval cancer rates [1]
[5]
[6]. Appropriate surveillance intervals as well as ADR aim at reducing the rate of subsequent
neoplasia. Patients with adenomatous polyps, large polyps or a large number of polyps
are at greater risk of developing future malignancy and are therefore entered into
surveillance programmes accordingly.
Incomplete resection rate
Polyp detection is only one part of a successful colorectal cancer prevention strategy.
Performing safe and complete polypectomy is also a specific goal for successful colonoscopy.
An increasingly recognized measure of efficient colonoscopy is the incomplete resection
rate (IRR) of polyps, which may have significant implications for development of interval
cancers. In practice, complete polyp resection is assumed if no residual polyp tissue
is visible macroscopically following resection. Nonetheless, random biopsies of apparently
clear polyp bases can demonstrate residual polyp tissue [7]. Rates of incomplete polyp resection vary widely in the literature but may be as
high as 23 % [5]
[8]
[9].
The morphology and histological subtype of a polyp may affect the completeness of
resection, with sessile serrate lesions more difficult to fully demarcate and, therefore,
completely resect [10]. Residual disease is more likely with larger polyps, for sessile serrated adenomas,
and with more proximal lesions [11]. Endoscopists’ training and experience are key factors in increasing lesion detection
[12]
[13] and reducing incomplete resection, with significant variability in IRR between endoscopists
reported (ranging from 6.5 % to 22.7 %) in one study alone [11]. However, no consensus exists regarding what level of experience is required to
ensure quality-assured polypectomy. It is estimated that up to 30 % of interval cancers
are due to incomplete resection of polyps and the 5-year interval cancer rate is reportedly
as high as 8 % [6]
[14]. While the majority of interval cancers are thought to arise from missed lesions
at the time of index colonoscopy, residual disease from incomplete polypectomy also
accounts for a significant proportion [15]. Indeed, risk of interval cancers is higher for those with a previous history of
polyps [16].
What techniques are used to reduce IRR?
The method with which polyps are resected may affect the likelihood of residual disease.
When compared to other polypectomy devices, cold forceps polypectomy is more likely
to result in residual histological disease and is no longer recommended except for
diminutive polyps [17]
[18]
[19]. Nonetheless, even with diminutive polyps, significant IRR have been reported for
SSLs in particular. Cold snare polypectomy results in higher resection completion
rates [20]
[21]
[22], particularly when employed by experienced endoscopists. Consensus guidelines recommend
snare resection for polyps larger than 5 mm [17]. In fact, (piecemeal) cold snare resection has been shown to be safe and efficacious
when employed for polyps larger than 1 cm, previously of hot snare polypectomy alone,
and is increasingly employed in clinical practice [23].
Adherence to recommendations on polypectomy technique reduces IRR; however, compliance
with these guidelines is inconsistent [24]. Recent evidence suggests that despite the application of appropriate techniques,
residual disease remains a problem. Recently a Japanese group reported complete resection
rates (R0) of only 32 % and residual disease rates of 1 % employing cold snare polypectomy
[25]. Identification of residual disease can be challenging. In particular, differentiating
between snare artefact (post-polypectomy protrusions) and residual tissue on white
light inspection alone is difficult for post-cold snare polypectomy. The cautery effect
of hot snare further complicates this inspection with a visible ring of cauterized
tissue often remaining around the base post-resection. Currently, close inspection
of a polyp base with white light is advocated to identify residual dysplastic tissue.
Chromoendoscopy
Dye-based chromoendoscopy is a diagnostic technique in which a chemical substance
is sprayed or flushed onto the mucosal surface of the gastrointestinal tract to highlight
specific areas. It is an established technique in demarcating and evaluating colorectal
lesions and is increasingly employed in lesion detection [26]
[27]. The stains used can be subdivided into “absorptive” or “vital” stains which are
absorbed into certain tissue types (i. e. dysplastic) and “contrast” or “non-absorptive”
stains which pool in mucosal grooves to delineate a lesion. The most commonly employed
absorptive stains crystal violet, acetic acid and methylene blue, while indigo carmine
is the non-absorptive stain most commonly used.
Chromoendoscopy is increasingly recommended in surveillance programs aimed at detecting
dysplastic or neoplastic tissue (e. g. Barrett’s esophagus (BO) or inflammatory bowel
disease [IBD]). Improved ADRs have been reported following chromoendoscopy in a colorectal
cancer screening cohort [28], as well as improved detection of flat and right-sided lesions [29]. Several studies have reported increased detection rates for dysplasia with chromoendoscopy
compared to random quadrantic biopsies in inflammatory bowel disease surveillance
[30]
[31]
[32]. More recently, meta-analyses have demonstrated an incremental yield of dysplasia
detection between chromoendoscopy and white light endoscopy [33]
[34]. Spraying catheters allow the most controlled and precise application of the dye
as a fine mist onto the gastrointestinal surface. This is of particular use in IBD
surveillance where the entire colon is inspected. Contrast stains may also be flushed
onto smaller areas, including individual polyps.
Study aims
The aims of this study were to assess local incomplete resection rates post snare
polypectomy, and to determine whether dye-based chromoendoscopy could correctly identify
residual disease at the time of snare polypectomy. We hypothesize that targeted dye-based
chromoendoscopy post-polypectomy may be an easy and fast technique to implement and
result in increased detection of residual tissue compared to close inspection alone.
This could represent a strategy to reduce the rate of interval cancers.
Patients and methods
Patients
This was a prospective interventional study conducted at a university tertiary referral
hospital between June 2017 and April 2018. Adult patients undergoing colonoscopy for
colorectal cancer screening or non-specific gastrointestinal symptoms and those referred
specifically for polypectomy were considered for the study. For 2 days prior to the
scheduled colonoscopy, all participants were advised to consume a low-residue diet.
Bowel preparation was with polyethylene glycol (PEG) solutions. Split dosing was advised
for afternoon procedures.
Polypectomy and EMR protocol
Conventional high-definition colonoscopes (Olympus) were used for all procedures,
which were performed under conscious sedation by either a consultant gastroenterologist
or a specialist registrar in gastroenterology (minimum 3 years post-qualification).
Patients who agreed to participate were enrolled if they were found to have at least
one colonic polyp requiring snare resection, ≥ 3 mm in diameter. Polyps were resected
en-bloc with or without an injection-assisted endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) technique
(ie “lift and cut”) with a saline-only lifting solution, depending on size and morphology.
Polypectomy specimens were retrieved and sent for histological analysis. The polyp
base was then flushed thoroughly with normal saline to allow direct inspection under
white light ([Fig. 1]. Polypectomy bases without visible residual disease on white light inspection were
then flushed with 5 to 10 mL of 0.13 % indigo carmine drawn up in a 5-mL syringe and
injected down the working channel of the scope. Excess contrast was suctioned and
the base re-examined ([Fig. 2]). Residual disease identified post-indigo carmine application was documented and
removed by targeted biopsy. In cases where no residual disease was identified post-application
of indigo carmine, two random biopsies were taken from each side of the polyp base.
All samples were processed as standard and examined by expert pathologists blinded
to the endoscopy result.
Fig. 1 Post-cold snare polypectomy margin and base as viewed with standard white light.
Fig. 2 Post-cold snare polypectomy margin and base as viewed following application of 0.13 %
indigo carmine.
Exclusion criteria included the need for piecemeal resection, visible residual disease
prior to chromoendoscopy, failure to retrieve the polyp post-polypectomy or significant
post-polypectomy bleeding requiring treatment. Basic demographic data and endoscopy
findings including polyp location, size, resection technique and complications were
documented. The result of base examination under white light and chromoendoscopy was
recorded in the endoscopy report for each excised polyp as either positive or negative.
Subsequent polyp histology was documented. Residual disease was defined as presence
of the same dysplastic tissue on samples from the polypectomy base as detected in
the polyp sample itself, irrespective of histological type (Tubular adenoma, tubulovillous
adenoma, hyperplastic or sessile serrated adenoma).
Statistical analysis
Data are presented as means ± standard deviations or medians and ranges. The overall
and post-indigo carmine incomplete resection rates are presented as proportions with
95 % confidence intervals (CIs). Histology assessment was used as a gold standard
and the accuracy of chromoendoscopy prediction of residual disease; sensitivity, specificity,
positive and negative predictive values (NPV) and number needed to treat was calculated.
Odds ratios were calculated for chromoendoscopy versus white light inspection of polyp
bases. Detection rates were compared using a Chi squared test. P < 0.05 was considered significant. All statistical analyses were performed using
SPSS Statistics, version 23 (SPSS Inc., IBM Corp. Armonk, New York, United States).
Results
A total of 102 polyps were identified for inclusion in this study, of which 15 % (n = 16)
were excluded in total due to either piecemeal resection (n = 11) or visible residual
tissue post-polypectomy (n = 5). Resection quality was therefore evaluated in 86 polyps
from 61 patients (female n = 33 54 %, mean age 62.3 years). The majority of polyps
were removed by cold snare polypectomy (n = 71, 83.5 %), with cautery less commonly
required (n = 15, 17.5 %). Most polyps were small (n = 58, 67 %) measuring between
5 to 10 mm, with larger polyps > 10 mm (9.3 %) and diminutive polyps < 5 mm (23 %)
less frequent. All polyps larger than 5 mm (76.7 % n = 66) were lifted with normal
saline-only solution prior to snare resection. Polyps were predominantly located in
the right colon (n = 57, 66 %). Histopathological analysis confirmed the majority
of polyps as tubular adenomas (n = 54, 63 %), with tubulovillous adenoma (n = 25,
29 %) and sessile serrated lesions (n = 7, 8 %) also detected. There were no reported
procedure related complications ([Table 1]).
Table 1
Study population.
|
Parameter
|
Number
|
Percentage
|
|
Patients
|
62
|
N/A
|
|
Male gender
|
28
|
46
|
|
Age
|
62.3 years
|
N/A
|
|
Included polyps
|
86
|
85
|
|
Excluded Polyps
|
16
|
16
|
|
Polyps 5 mm-10 mm
|
58
|
68
|
|
Polyps > 10 mm
|
8
|
9
|
|
Polyps 3 mm-5 mm
|
20
|
23
|
|
Right colon
|
57
|
66
|
|
Cold snare polypectomy
|
71
|
84
|
|
Hot snare polypectomy
|
15
|
16
|
|
Saline EMR
|
66
|
76
|
EMR, endoscopic mucosal resection.
The overall incomplete resection rate (IRR) following polypectomy and conventional
white light examination, based on histological examination of residual disease or
whether targeted or random base biopsies was 19.7 % (n = 17/86) In all, post-polypectomy
indigo carmine chromoendoscopy (PPC) was deemed positive by the endoscopist in 22
resection bases (25.6 %) and PCC accurately detected residual disease in 13 of these
17 incomplete resections (76.5 %). Therefore, only four of 86 (4.6 %) of all polyp
bases were misclassified as negative on PPC, odds ratio of 0.284 (95 % CI 0.0857–0.9409)
P = 0.03 ([Table 2]).
Table 2
Incomplete resection detection rate by technique for sessile colonic polyps.
|
Technique
|
Complete resection (n)
|
Incomplete resection (n)
|
Incomplete resection rate %
|
|
White light inspection
|
97
|
5
|
4.9
|
|
0.13 % Indigo carmine post-polypectomy Chromoendoscopy
|
73
|
13
|
15.1
|
|
0.13 % Indigo carmine post-polypectomy Chromoendoscopy and random polypectomy base
biopsies
|
69
|
17
|
19.7
|
The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value
(NPV) of PCC for residual disease were 76%, 87 %, 59 %, 94 % respectively. Overall
PCC correlation with histology for presence of residual disease was moderate, Pearsons
r = 0.5789, P < 0.00001. Compared to close examination of the polypectomy base with white light
alone, PCC significantly enhanced the endoscopist’s ability to detect residual disease
(15.1 % v 4.9 %) ([Fig. 3]) with a number needed to treat (NNT) of 10, (95 % CI 1.56–18.87, NNT range 5.3–64).
There was no difference in IRR rate by polyp size, location or resection technique,
although the overall population size in the study prevented effective subgroup analysis.
Fig. 3 The effect of indigo carmine on the detection of residual disease compared to white
light endoscopy alone. (“Complete resection” and residual disease suspected refers
to endoscopists’ assessment post-polypectomy.)
Discussion
Despite the success of colorectal cancer screening programs, interval cancers do occur.
Missed lesions at the time of index colonoscopy and inadequate excision account for
a significant proportion of interval cancers. Better recognition and visualization
of margins, improved excision techniques and identification and removal of residual
polyp tissue have all been the subject of clinical investigation, with a view to reducing
risk of early recurrence and interval cancers. Inclusion of appropriate polypectomy
technique in the latest European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy position statement
on performance measures for lower gastrointestinal endoscopy as one of seven key indices
highlights the importance of complete excision [35]. Overcoming incomplete excision, which accounts for approximately 20 % of interval
cancers, remains a challenge [36].
Previous studies have demonstrated the efficacy of magnification chromoendoscopy colonoscopy
in detecting residual disease post-EMR [37]
[38] and in differentiating between neoplastic and non-neoplastic lesions [39]. Its wider use, however, has been limited by cost, availability, and the additional
training that is required for its use. To our knowledge ours is the first study to
show that post-polypectomy dye-based chromoendoscopy (PCC) can effectively enhance
detection of residual dysplastic tissue, thereby significantly reducing incomplete
resection rates (OR 0.28, 95 % CI 0.0857–0.9409 P = 0.03). In this study, immediate post-polypectomy dye-based chromoendoscopy detected
significantly more residual dysplastic tissue than was identified by conventional
white light inspection alone, thereby enabling further targeted resection. In addition,
PCC had a high NPV of 94 %, suggesting it could be a simple, reliable means of ruling
out residual disease. Overall PCC was significantly superior to simple close inspection
of polypectomy bases with white light, with a NNT of 10, suggesting routine implementation
would quickly improve detection of residual disease, enabling further excision at
the time of index colonoscopy, thereby reducing the potential risk of incomplete resection
and the development of interval disease.
The chromoendoscopy technique used was simple and easy to perform without the need
for specific chromoendoscopy equipment or for magnification endoscopes. Three of the
four endoscopists taking part in this study would not routinely perform chromoendoscopy
as part of their practice. Post-polypectomy chromoendoscopy significantly enhanced
detection of residual disease by 76 %, with a significant NPV of 94 %, suggesting
it could be applied widely and used effectively by Endoscopists without significant
prior chromoendoscopy experience.
In general, the additional time required for chromoendoscopy, which includes preparing
the mucosal surface, diluting the contrast stain correctly, applying the contrast
through specific catheters to the entire colonic mucosa, and performing slow phased
withdrawal with thorough inspection and additional biopsy specimens, is a major factor
preventing universal application of chromoendoscopy. The targeted application technique
employed in this study was simple and fast, with less than 2 minutes required to apply,
examine, and manage identified residual disease, suggesting the technique could be
widely implemented without significant cost or time implications. In addition, the
technique was safe with no reported complications either as a result of enhanced detection
and targeted removal of residual disease or from random base biopsies.
The design of our study is not without inherent drawbacks. Endoscopists were not blinded
to the white light inspection and as only polyps thought to be clear after initial
inspection were included, this could represent a source of bias or Hawthorne effect.
It is not known what the actual histologically proven IRR and/or complete R0 resection
rates were for excluded polyps after white light inspection. However, this excluded
group were thought to have residual disease at the time of polypectomy and received
additional treatment as required without the need for enhanced base inspection techniques.
These lesions were not the subject of this research. In addition, four different experienced
endoscopists undertook the study, all of whom were blinded to final histological findings.
Contrast stains are increasingly added to the injection solution during endoscopic
mucosal resection (EMR) to assist in demarcating the borders of large flat lesions
prior to resection. Whether the addition of contrast pre-polypectomy reduces risk
of incomplete resection, or moreover enhances detection of residual disease, is unknown
and beyond the scope of this study. However, as methylene blue rather than indigo
carmine is more commonly used in injection solutions and the injected cushion tends
to disappear after resection, it is unlikely that contrast included in lifting solutions
will provide the same function.
Perhaps disappointingly, despite the application of appropriate polypectomy techniques,
our IRR was high at just under 20 %. Endoscopist experience may explain this relatively
high IRR in part, as approximately half of the procedures were completed by a senior
trainee rather than a Consultant, which would be expected to increase the IRR somewhat.
While our IRR rates appear high, other studies have reported similar findings, which
highlights the significant problem of residual disease despite apparent complete en-bloc
resection at the time of polypectomy and adds support for the development of effective
techniques to enhance early detection. Indeed, reported complete resection rates (R0)
based on histological examination of excised polyps vary significantly in the published
literature from as low as 33 % to 97 % [22]
[36].
It is possible that our policy of taking two random biopsies from clear polypectomy
bases has increased our detected IRR. Other studies employing similar polypectomy
base biopsy regimens, however, have reported variable rates from 2 % to as high as
24 % [22]
[23]. While our rate is among the higher rates reported, it appears not to be an outlier.
In addition, all of the polyps included in our study were sessile and most were larger
than 5 mm (68 %) and eight (10 %) were larger than 10 mm, which increases risk of
IRR.A substantial proportion were located in the right colon 66 % (n = 57), and 8 %
of all polyps were sessile serrated lesions, both recognized risk factors for incomplete
resection. We also included all dysplastic tissue found on base biopsies consistent
with the index polyp as positive residual disease. We did this as endoscopists endeavor
to remove polyps entirely at the time of colonoscopy without having the fore knowledge
of its histological diagnosis.
The small sample size in this study limited our ability to assess for size-specific
IRRs which may be clinically relevant. Indeed, the technique of post-polypectomy dye-based
chromoendoscopy may be more beneficial in lesions of a certain size or morphology
over others. Use of cautery may limit its utility. As ever larger polyps are resected
in a safe and efficacious manner with cold snare polypectomy, our technique may increase
in utility. This would benefit from further investigation.
Unfortunately, the small sample size in our study precluded further subgroup analysis
of factors associated with risk of residual disease, which was not the primary purpose
of our study and would require a future large prospective investigation. In addition,
the precise role of PCC in certain populations and in conjunction with other enhanced
identification and polypectomy techniques requires further study.
Conclusion
Our prospective study suggests that immediate examination of a polypectomy base with
the application of 0.13 % indigo carmine is a simple and effective means to enhance
detection of residual polyp tissue. This technique appears to be effective following
cold snare polypectomy of small and larger sessile polyps throughout the colon. In
this study, detection of residual disease was enhanced by 76 %, thereby significantly
reducing risk of incomplete resection (odds ratio of 0.284, 95 % CI 0.0857–0.9409).
The significant NPV of 94 % suggests this technique could be employed as a simple
and reliable method of ruling out residual disease at the time of polypectomy. Further
protocol-driven studies are required to determine the role post-polypectomy dye-based
chromoendoscopy might play, and in what setting its effects may be most marked.