Linked Colour imaging for the detection of polyps in patients with Lynch syndrome: a multicentre, parallel randomised controlled trial

Abstract

Objective: Despite regular colonoscopy surveillance, colorectal cancers still occur in patients with Lynch syndrome. Thus, detection of all relevant precancerous lesions remains very important. The present study investigates Linked Colour imaging (LCI), an image-enhancing technique, as compared with high-definition white light endoscopy (HD-WLE) for the detection of polyps in this patient group.

Design: This prospective, randomised controlled trial was performed by 22 experienced endoscopists from eight centres in six countries. Consecutive Lynch syndrome patients ≥18 years undergoing surveillance colonoscopy were randomised (1:1) and stratified by centre for inspection with either LCI or HD-WLE. Primary outcome was the polyp detection rate (PDR).

Results: Between January 2018 and March 2020, 357 patients were randomised and 332 patients analysed (160 LCI, 172 HD-WLE; 6 excluded due to incomplete colonoscopies and 19 due to insufficient bowel cleanliness). No significant difference was observed in PDR with LCI (44.4%; 95% CI 36.5% to 52.4%) compared with HD-WLE (36.0%; 95% CI 28.9% to 43.7%) (p=0.12). Of the secondary outcome parameters, more adenomas were found on a patient (adenoma detection rate 36.3%; vs 25.6%; p=0.04) and a colonoscopy basis (mean adenomas per colonoscopy 0.65 vs 0.42; p=0.04). The median withdrawal time was not statistically different between LCI and HD-WLE (12 vs 11 min; p=0.16).

Conclusion: LCI did not improve the PDR compared with HD-WLE in patients with Lynch syndrome undergoing surveillance. The relevance of findings more adenomas by LCI has to be examined further.

Trial registration number: NCT03344289.

Keywords: colonic polyps; colonoscopy; imaging; inherited cancers; surveillance.

Conflict of interest statement

Competing interests: AR has received loan equipment and a consultancy fee from Medtronic and Fujifilm. BAJB received speaking fees from Olympus, Tillotts Pharma AG and Ovesco Endoscopy. ED received equipment on loan from Olympus and Fujifilm, ED received a research grant from FujiFilm, a consulting fee for medical advice from Tillots, Olympus, Fujifilm, GI Supply and CPP-FAP and a speakers’ fee from Olympus, Roche and GI Supply. FB has endoscopic equipment on loan of Fujifilm, received an honorarium for consultancy from Sysmex, CPP-FAP speaking fees from Norgine, and an editorial fee from Elsevier. MFK has received speaking, teaching and consultancy fees from Olympus (2017 to present) and speaking and teaching fees, and a loan of equipment from Fujifilm (2019) and speaking fees from Medtronic (2019), Alfa Sigma (2017–2019) and Norgine (2018–2019). MP received a research grant from Fujifilm Spain and Casen Recordati, a loan of equipment from Fujifilm, received consultancy fee from Norgine, speaking fee from Norgine, Olympus, Casen Recordati, Janssen and an editorial fee from Thieme. RB has provided consultancy to and received research grants and speakings fees from Pentax (2008 to present) and Fujifilm (2015 to present); his department has received research grants and equipment from Pentax and Fujifilm (2015 to present). PB has received grant funding from Norgine, Fujifilm, Olympus, Pentax, Boston scientific. PF received research support from Boston Scientific research and a consulting fee from Olympus, Cook and Ethicon Endosurgery.

© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2022. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.

Figures

Figure 1

Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials patient flowchart. LCI, linked colour imaging.

Figure 2

Images of a 4 mm and 10 mm flat elevated adenoma with high-definition white light endoscopy (A and C) and corresponding Linked Colour imaging (B and D).