Indigo Carmine Staining and Narrow Band Imaging (NBI) of Colonic Mucosa for Detection of Dysplasia in Ulcerative Colitis

A prospective, randomized trial to determine indigo carmine dye spraying and narrow band imaging (NBI) of colonic mucosa to detect dysplasia in ulcerative colitis (UC). Confocal laser microscopy may be beneficial in the further assessment of abnormalities identified by these methods.

Specific Aims:

Primary:

1. To assess intra- and inter-observer agreement for the detection of abnormalities seen by white light colonoscopy followed by indigo carmine staining and white light colonoscopy followed by NBI imaging.

   Secondary:
2. To estimate the sensitivity and specificity of these modalities for dysplasia among UC patients who undergo surveillance colonoscopy.
3. To assess intra- and inter-observer agreement for abnormalities identified by confocal laser microscopy among patients with chronic ulcerative colitis.
4. To determine the specificity and sensitivity of confocal microscopy in the detection of dysplasia among patients with ulcerative colitis.

50 consecutive patients with clinically quiescent UC presenting for surveillance colonoscopy will be randomized to white light followed by NBI OR white light followed by indigo carmine staining. Identified abnormalities will then be targeted for confocal imaging in 40 patients. Immediately prior to confocal imaging, fluorescein 2.5 ml of 10% solution will be administered intravenously. For these patients, confocal images will also be obtained of the area around the lesion and of the colon segments as in the parent study and correlated with pathology. Gross activity will be determined by white light colonoscopy for each colon segment. At least 32 biopsies for surveillance will be obtained with additional biopsies of abnormalities present on white light, NBI or indigo carmine. Photographs will be obtained of all abnormalities prior to biopsy and of random mucosa without abnormalities. Intra- and inter-observer agreement will be based on the first 10 patients at each site through review of de-identified endoscopic photographs. If modifications are necessary because of poor agreement, re-assessment will be made after the next 10 patients. Otherwise each site will enroll 40 additional patients with agreement summarized and sensitivity and specificity of these techniques for detecting dysplasia

Significance: If intra and inter-observer agreement for mucosal abnormalities detected by indigo carmine and NBI modalities is shown to be good, in ulcerative colitis, then larger studies will be planned on UC surveillance populations. If confocal techniques are feasible then these will be integrated into larger studies.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

1. Clinically quiescent (UC) disease will be defined as a colitis activity index \<8 at the time of enrollment.
2. Scheduled for routine, clinically-indicated colonoscopy surveillance

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Patients unable to give informed consent,
2. Pregnant or female patients of child bearing age who are sexually active an not practicing birth control methods. (in this group a pregnancy test is required as per routine clinical care)
3. Poor colonic preparation (\<90% colon visualization)
4. Documented allergy to indigo carmine
5. Coagulopathy that can not be corrected (INR\> 1.5 and/or platelet count\<50,000)