The learning curve for detection of non-polypoid (flat and depressed) colorectal neoplasms

We read with interest the two excellent studies on interval colorectal cancers (CRC) following colonoscopy and wish to present important data relevant to the prevention of interval CRC. In a pooled multicohort analysis, Robertson and coauthors found that invasive cancer was diagnosed in 0.6% of patients after clearing colonoscopy among eight large North American trials, and concluded that half of these were likely missed lesions.1 In a population-based study, le Clercq and coauthors reported that CRC found following colonoscopy were more likely to have non-polypoid morphology than prevalent cancers.2 We previously described that non-polypoid colorectal neoplasms (NP-CRN) harbour more advanced pathology than polypoid neoplasms.3 Indeed, due to their subtle appearance, NP-CRN may be a key contributor to interval CRC. The learning curve in their detection is largely unknown. Using available data, we summarised the learning curve (see figure 1) for...
Source: Gut - Category: Gastroenterology Authors: Tags: PostScript Source Type: research