Adjunctive Use Of WATS-3D Increases Detection Of Barrett’s Esophagus And Dysplasia In Patients With GERD Symptoms Undergoing Screening Upper Endoscopy, Study Finds

GI & Hepatology News (3/26, Brooks) reported a study found that “in patients with gastroesophageal reflux (GERD) symptoms undergoing screening upper endoscopy, adjunctive use of wide-area transepithelial sampling with 3D computer-assisted analysis (WATS-3D) increases detection of Barrett’s esophagus (BE) and dysplasia.” According to researchers, “compared with forceps biopsies (FB) alone, the addition of WATS-3D led to confirmation of BE in an additional one fifth of patients, roughly doubled dysplasia diagnoses, and influenced clinical management in the majority of patients.” They concluded that adjunctive use of WATS-3D when BE is suspected “may save endoscopies and lead to quicker, more accurate diagnoses.” The study was published in The American Journal of Gastroenterology.