Current approaches to disease severity and therapy effectiveness assessment in patients with inflammatory bowel disease

Table 2 Endoscopic techniques used for inflammatory bowel disease detection and monitoring

Endoscopic technique	Technique versions	Main advantages	Main disadvantages
Standard white light endoscopy		Widely used, regarded as the easiest option, being the standard endoscopy technique. Short examination time. This is a relatively low-cost option	Not always reflects histopathological IBD activity. Does not allow microvascular characterization
Chromoendoscopy	Dye-based chromoendoscopy)	Enhances mucosal visualization using dyes	Poorly studied in the context of IBD
	Virtual electronic chromoendoscopy	Employs optical filters and digital programs to improve visualization of glandular patterns and vascularization. Correlates with histopathological IBD activity. Short examination time. This is a widely available and relatively low-cost option	Highly trained personnel needed for applying currently available scores. Requires more prognostic validation
Optical magnification (high definition) endoscopy		Magnification adjustment allows maintaining image quality even at high zoom levels. The technique is easy to use. This is a relatively low-cost option	Does not permit efficiently examining the whole colonic surface
Ultra magnification endoscopy	Confocal laser endomicroscopy	Integrating laser scanning microscopy into an endoscope provides high-resolution histopathological imaging in vivo and allows intestinal barrier assessment	These techniques do not permit efficiently examining the whole colonic surface. Long duration of the examination. Highly trained personnel needed
	Endocytoscopy	The ultra-high magnification combined with the use of a mucolytic agent enhancing the penetration of a topical contrast agent provides highly accurate images in vivo. Intestinal barrier assessment possible
	Fluorescence molecular endoscopy	Targeted fluorescent probes permit to enhance the contrast between normal and diseased tissue
	Near-infrared fluorescence imaging	The use of near-infrared probes allows achieving deeper tissue penetration and improve signal-to-background ratio

IBD: Inflammatory bowel disease.