Active clinical trials for "Colonic Polyps"

Small growths detected in the colon (polyps) during a colonoscopy may or may not have the potential to develop into cancer. However, since visual inspection alone cannot separate all potentially harmful polyps from harmless ones, the standard approach is to remove them all for histological lab examination, exposing patients to risk of injury and putting a significant demand on hospital resources. An accurate method of determining polyp type during endoscopy would enable the clinician to only remove potentially harmful polyps. A new endoscopic optical imaging probe (OPTIC), which analyses how light interacts with tissue, is proposed to do this. The probe is contained within a normal endoscope and uses white light and blue/violet laser light to illuminate the tissue. The reflected and fluorescent light emitted, along with normal colour pictures of the polyp surface, are measured and recorded to quantify specific characteristics of each type. Optical measurements of polyps detected in endoscopy clinics at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust will be analysed to determine if the signal can be used to differentiate different polyp types.

This is an observational registry study collecting data on the clinical performance of the study device (DiLumen™ ) for its intended use. The primary objective is to evaluate functional outcomes of the DiLumen device in humans. The secondary objective is to evaluate safety characteristics of the DiLumen device.

This simple technique of attaching a transparent cap to the tip of the colonoscope has been evaluated in Japan for improving the detection of polyps and cecal intubation but has not been formally evaluated in the US and other western countries. In one study (19), the polyp detection rate was higher with the transparent cap compared to no cap (49% vs. 39%, p=0.04). Also, the cecal intubation time was shorter with the cap (11.5 min vs 14 min, p=0.008). In a recently published study, a variation of the cap called the transparent retractable extension device was used (21). Overall, the number of adenomas detected were significantly higher with the device compared to without it (205 vs. 150, p=0.04). In an earlier study by Tada et al (22), use of a transparent cap improved the detection rate of lesions per patient (0.86 vs. 0.58) but did not increase the cecal intubation time. Finally, Lee et al (20) used cap assisted colonoscopy in patients with difficult colonoscopy procedure (defined as failure to pass through sigmoid colon after 20 minutes or failure to reach cecum). Using the cap, cecal intubation was achieved in 94% of patients and this proved to be an effective rescue method for failed or difficult colonoscopy. The major appeal of this technique is that it is inexpensive, very practical, and easy to use. Furthermore it is safe and there are no reported complications from this. If found to be effective in increasing the polyp yield it has the potential to being incorporated by busy gastroenterologists in their day to day clinical practice. These features and the preliminary data from Japan merit the evaluation of this promising technique in the US.

The goal of this research is to conduct a pilot clinical study to image colonic polyps with the intent to evaluate the potential use of Optical Frequency Domain Imaging (OFDI) to identify the extent of invasion (if present), differentiate between hyperplastic polyps and adenomas, and identify serrated polyps.

In this study, Dutch gastroenterologists who are certified for performing colonoscopies on FIT-positive patients in the Dutch population screening program are trained in optical diagnosis with validated methods. After this training, an ex- and in-vivo test phase leads to "accreditation" and endoscopists will be observed in their optical diagnosis for 1 year. During this year, half of the endoscopists will be randomized towards 3-monthly feedback and the other half will receive feedback on their results after 1 year. The endoscopic prediction of endoscopists on polyp histology will be compared to histopathological outcome.

The purpose of this study is to determine if a new device, called the Endocuff Vision (a small plastic device attached to the end of the colonoscope which helps by holding the folds of the bowel back to give a clear view of the inside of the bowel) will significantly improve the detection of adenomas when used in all patients referred for colonoscopy.

Endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) has been widely used as a diagnostic and treatment techniques of gastrointestinal small lesions. Postoperative rebleeding is one of the common complication following EMR. Several endoscopic hemostasis methods are currently in use. EndoClot® absorbable polysaccharide hemostat (PAPH) as a new hemostasis material was previously used for surgical hemostasis, but the therapeutic effect and safety in endoscopic application remains unknown. This study has been designed to observe the effect of rebleeding prevention after EMR.

This study is to evaluate the performance of Hemospray for the teatment of nonvariceal lower gastrointestinal bleeding.

Summary Colorectal cancer (CRC) represents the second leading cause of cancer deaths in Spain (11,000 deaths per year). Screening of the population over 50 years of age with no significant history (intermediate risk) is recommended, but which screening method is best for promoting adherence in this type of patient has not been well established. There are currently two screening methods that are less invasive than conventional colonoscopy and seem to have higher sensitivity than the test for faecal occult blood (FOBT). These two methods are the colon capsule, which consists in ingesting a capsule that takes photographs of the colon, and virtual colonoscopy, which is a radiological technique. Objectives: 1. To demonstrate that virtual colonoscopy and colon capsule are effective CRC screening techniques in the intermediate risk population, with diagnostic rates comparable to conventional colonoscopy (concordance). 2. To compare the diagnostic rates of the colon capsule and virtual colonoscopy with respect to the size and characteristics of the lesions visualised. 3. To compare the participation rates for each screening strategy and identify the factors that influence participation (individual, family, and socioeconomic factors as well as those relating to the doctor).

There is no consensus method for removal of diminutive (5mm) to small(6-9mm) colorectal polyps at colonoscopy. Neither the European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy or the American Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy have guidelines for the removal of these polyps, despite the fact that around 90% of lesions removed by polypectomy at colonoscopy are diminutive to small. Multiple techniques are used for polyp removal, especially diminutive lesions. These include either forceps, both hot and cold, as well as snare with electrocautery or cold snare. Forceps utilises shearing force to grasp tissue and remove it, with the hot method passing a current through the grasper to essentially burn tissue. Snare is the use of a small metal loop placed and tightened at the base of polyps to cut through the tissue either straight away in a cold method or with electrocautery where a small current is passed through the loop to assist cutting through tissue. Surveys of Colonoscopists and Gastroenterologists in Australia and the United States show that the choice of method used for diminutive to small polyps is highly variable with cold snaring marginally favoured.Studies into polypectomy techniques are limited and it is clear that additional data and the review of polypectomy methods needs to be undertaken in order determine the optimal method for the removal of diminutive and small colorectal polyps. A technique is used at the Gloucestershire National Health Service (NHS) trust involving a submucosal pre injection with a standard solution then the use of cold forceps for removal of polyps ≤7mm. This appears to be both very safe and highly effective method for the removal of these lesions compared to other techniques. No formal published studies have been completed to evaluate this method at national and international levels. We propose a study to evaluate the effectiveness, safety and costs of this method.