Magnifying Observation of Microvascular Architecture of Colorectal Lesions Using a Narrow‐band Imaging System

We reviewed the magnifying observation of the microvascular architecture of colorectal lesions and discuss the utility of the detailed observation of the microvascular architecture for differential diagnosis during narrow‐band imaging (NBI) colonoscopy. Angiogenesis is critical to the transition of premalignant lesions in a hyperproliferative state to the malignant phenotype. Therefore, diagnosis based on angiogenic or vascular morphologic changes might be ideal for early detection or diagnosis of neoplasms. In this review, we propose the term ‘meshed capillary’ for the distinction between non‐neoplastic and neoplastic lesions and the capillary classification ‘capillary pattern’ for the differential diagnosis of colorectal lesions. We believe that the combined use of NBI optical chromoendoscopy and real chromoendoscopy decreases the time and cost of screening colonoscopy. To assess the feasibility and efficacy of using the NBI system, further studies are required for colorectal lesions and other lesions of the gastrointestinal tract.