Chromoendoscopy

The ASGE Technology Committee provides reviews of existing, new or emerging endoscopic technologies that have an impact on the practice of gastrointestinal endoscopy. An evidence-based method is used, with a MEDLINE literature search to identify pertinent clinical studies on the topic and a MAUDE (Food and Drug Administration Center for Devices and Radiological Health) database search to identify the reported complications of a given technology. Both are supplemented by accessing the "related articles" feature of PubMed and by scrutinizing pertinent references cited by the identified studies. Controlled clinical trials are emphasized, but in many cases data from randomized controlled trials are lacking In such cases, large case series, preliminary clinical studies, and expert opinions are used Technical data are gathered from traditional and Web-based publications, proprietary publications, and informal communications with pertinent vendors. Technology Status Evaluation Reports are drafted by I or 2 members of the ASGE Technology Committee, reviewed and edited by the committee as a whole, and approved by the Governing Board of the ASGE. When financial guidance is indicated, the most recent coding data and list prices at the time of publication are provided For this review the MEDLINE database was searched through September 2006 for articles and references within related to endoscopic tissue staining by using the keywords "chromoscopy," "chromoendoscopy, " and "endoscopy" paired with "acetic acid, " "congo red, " "crystal violet, " "indigo carmine, " "lugol's, " "methylene blue, " 'phenol red, " and "toluidine blue. " Practitioners should continue to monitor the medical literature for subsequent data about the efficacy, safety, and socioeconomic aspects of these technologies. Technology Status Evaluation Reports are scientific reviews provided solely for educational and informational purposes. Technology Status Evaluation Reports are not rules and should not be construed as establishing a legal standard of care or as encouraging, advocating, requiring, or discouraging any particular treatment or payment for such treatment.