Endoscopic fluorescence detection of low and high grade dysplasia in Barrett's oesophagus using systemic or local 5-aminolaevulinic acid sensitisation

Background and aims-Barrett's oesophagus is associated with an increased ri sk of cancer. As dysplasia is not visible during routine endoscopy, random biopsies in the four quadrants every 1-2 cm are recommended. Endoscopic flu orescence detection (EFD) after sensitisation with 5-aminolaevulinic acid ( 5-ALA) with different modes and concentrations was assessed to optimise the technique for detection of dysplasia or early cancers. 5-ALA is converted intracellularly to protoporphyrin IX which accumulates in malignant tissue and can be detected by typical red fluorescence after illumination with blu e light. Methods-In 47 patients with Barrett's oesophagus, 10 with known dysplasia, 58 fluorescence endoscopies were performed after sensitisation with differe nt concentrations of 5-ALA given orally (5, 10, 20, 30 mg/kg) or locally (5 00-1000 mg) by spraying the mucosa via a catheter. EFD was performed 4-6 ho urs after systemic and 1-2 hours after local sensitisation using a special light source delivering white or blue light. A total of 243 biopsies of red fluorescent (n=113) and non-fluorescent areas (n=130) were taken. Results-In three patients, two early cancers and dysplasia, not visible dur ing routine endoscopy, were detected by EFD. Thirty three biopsies revealed either low or high grade dysplasia. Sensitivity for detection of dysplasti c lesions ranged from 60% after local sensitisation with 500 mg to 80%, 100 %, and 100% after systemic application of 5-ALA 10, 20, and 30 mg/kg, respe ctively. However, specificity was best for local sensitisation (70%) while systemic administration revealed values between 27% and 56%. Using 5 mg/kg, no red fluorescence in dysplastic lesions was found. No severe side effect s were noted. Conclusion-EFD is a promising tool to detect non-visible dysplastic lesions in Barrett's oesophagus using 5-ALA sensitisation. A randomised controlled study is now indicated to compare the efficacy of EFD with the standard te chnique of four quadrant random biopsies.