Detection of premalignant gastric lesions using optical enhancement-guided advanced endoscopy versus Sydney protocol biopsies.

INTRODUCTION

Early diagnosis of premalignant gastric condition, such as chronic atrophic gastritis and intestinal metaplasia, allow us to assess and stratify the risk of gastric cancer. Gastric mucosal cleaning, mucosal exploration, photo-documentation, and advanced technologies like optical enhancement, electron chromoendoscopy and magnification endoscopy improve lesion detection rates.

OBJECTIVE

This study compares the detection rate of premalignant gastric lesions between biopsies guided Electron chromoendoscopy combined with optical enhancement and magnification endoscopy versus random biopsies (Sydney Protocol) with optical enhancement.

METHODS

This is a prospective, observational, blinded comparative study. Outpatients were divided into two groups: group 1 (162 patients), biopsies were performed either under Electron chromoendoscopy combined magnification endoscopy guidance; and group 2 (160 patients), biopsies were performed under blinded mapping (updated Sydney system) with optical enhancement. The following clinical outcomes were assessed in each group: age, gender, adequate gastric clearance rate, gastric atrophy rate, intestinal metaplasia rate.

RESULTS

A total of 322 patients were randomized, where 76 were excluded from the study. Detection rate for Intestinal metaplasia was significantly higher with Electron chromoendoscopy combined with optical enhancement and magnification endoscopy (37.6% versus 23.7%; p < 0.0001). Extensive Intestinal metaplasia was significantly more prevalent with Electron chromoendoscopy combined magnification endoscopy compared to mapping with optical enhancement (p = 0.029; p = 0.048, respectively).

CONCLUSION

Electron chromoendoscopy combined with optical enhancement and magnification endoscopy demonstrated a comparative superiority over Sydney System random biopsy protocol in the identification of patients with premalignant gastric conditions. By enabling more precise endoscopic targeting, directed biopsies help reduce sampling error; however, in high-risk populations, a complementary approach integrating both targeted and systematic random biopsies remains advisable to optimize diagnostic accuracy.