Health Technology Wales has published new guidance which supports the use of artificial intelligence assisted endoscopy to detect lower gastrointestinal (GI) cancer and pre-cancerous lesions.
Computer aided detection (CADe) colonoscopy is an endoscopy of the whole colon, using AI technology to assist endoscopists in identifying lower-GI cancer and pre-cancerous lesions. During the procedure, the CADe system draws a box around any areas of concern and flags these up to the endoscopist.
According to evidence identified by Health Technology Wales, colonoscopies that use computer aided detection (CADe) are associated with improved detection of adenomas, polyps and sessile serrated lesions compared with standard colonoscopies. Health Technology Wales also estimated that the technology is cost effective compared with standard colonoscopy.
The guidance supports the routine adoption of CADe colonoscopy for the detection of lower GI cancer and pre-cancerous lesions. It also recommends the collection of data regarding the real-world implementation and effectiveness of CADe.