Digital Holographic Microscopy: Evaluation of Histological Disease Activity in Patients With Ulcerative Colitis

Digital Holographic Microscopy: Evaluation of Histological Disease Activity in Patients With Ulcerative Colitis

Evaluation of Digital Holographic Microscopy for Quantification and Characterization of the Histological Disease Activity in Patients With Ulcerative Colitis

Ulcerative colitis (UC) belongs to the group of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and is characterized by a chronic relapsing disease course. As uncontrolled intestinal inflammation can lead to severe disease complications, treatment of UC has evolved from sole treatment of symptoms up to histological remission which is marked by the absence of histological inflammation. To correctly assess and quantify the degree of histological inflammation in IBD patients remains difficult. Digital holographic microscopy (DHM) is a new imaging technique belonging to quantitative phase contrast imaging. It is based on the detection of optical path-length delays in a stain-free manner, thereby providing a refractive index which directly correlates to tissue density. This study aims to evaluate the role of DHM for quantifying the degree of histological inflammation in endoscopically acquired biopsies of UC patients in a prospective clinical trial. From 28 UC patients, the investigators will obtain endoscopically acquired colonic biopsies. The investigators will assess the degree of inflammation in these biopsies using DHM and in addition to this an experienced histopathologist will determine the degree of inflammation in these biopsies using a histological scoring system (Nancy-Score = goldstandard). Finally, the investigators will directly correlate the results from DHM analysis to the histological analysis using the Nancy-Score.

Colonic biopsies from 28 patients with ulcerative colitis will be endoscopically acquired. These biopsies will be examined by digital holographic microscopic and by analysis due to an experienced histopathologists using an established scoring system (Goldstandard).

Colonic biopsies will be acquired. Biopsies from all patients will be examined using digital holographic microscopy as well as performing a histopathological analysis using the Nancy-score (Goldstandard).

Colonic biopsies from all patients will be assessed using digital holographic microscopy in comparison to the existing Goldstandard (histopathological analysis).

From patients with ulcerative colitis, the investigators will collect endoscopically acquired colonic biopsies. For the primary outcome, the investigators will correlate the conventional histological analysis using an established histological scoring system (Nancy-Score) in comparison to the experimental procedure using digital holographic microscopy thereby determining a refractive index which directly correlates to tissue density.

Endoscopically acquired biopsies will immediately be transported to the laboratory. After processing, biopsies can be used for histological assessment and for digital holographic microscopy; biopsies will be assessed within a time period up to 56 weeks.

Inclusion Criteria: - Patients with an indication for a colonoscopy Exclusion Criteria: Patients under 18 years, pregnancy Inability to have a patient education Bad conditions or other reasons prohibiting a colonoscopy