Measurement of lesions by endoscopy: an overview.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS

Endoscopic measurement of lesion size is important in the design and conduct of clinical trials, in determining prognosis and choosing forms of therapy. Endoscopes are constructed with wide-angle lenses that distort the image significantly by creating a relative compression of points in the periphery of the image.

METHODS

Published studies on endoscopic lesion measurement were identified using a computerized search of electronic databases (MedLine).

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS

Currently used clinical methods of estimating lesion size (visual estimation or comparison to a target of known size, e.g., open biopsy forceps) are flawed and inaccurate. Results from studies using image processing or the stereoendoscope are particularly promising for the future.