Part of the AIDA-E (Analysis of Images to Detect Abnormalities in Endoscopy) challenge

 

OVERVIEW

Barrett’s esophagus (BE) is a premalignant condition characterized by the replacement of normal squamous esophageal epithelium by metaplastic intestinal (IMP) epithelium containing goblet cells.  


Diagnosis and management of BE are problematic, since gastric metaplasia (GM) and IM frequently coexist in a single patient, but only columnar-lined esophagus with IM is accepted as a premalignant lesion. An intensive biopsy protocol is recommended to detect early, treatable neoplasias. However, standard endoscopy plus mucosal sampling showed low diagnostic power in the early diagnosis of neoplasia on BE. Techniques that improve visualization of Barrett’s esophagus and distinguish intestinal metaplasia from dysplasia and neoplasia are needed to provide for more accurate biopsies and potentially a more efficient use of screening endoscopy.


Confocal laser endomicroscopy (CLE) is a promising technology that can either be integrated into an endoscope (eCLE; Pentax, Tokyo, Japan) or separated exploting the service channel of the endoscopes (CellVizio; Mauna Kea Technologies, Paris, France) for the observation of mucosal tissue and cellular morphology during ongoing endoscopy (in-Vivo virtual histology).

 


HOW TO PARTICIPATE

  1. Please read first the challenge terms and conditions.
  2. Please register for the challenge by filling in the online registration form (Registration will open in mid-November 2015). This registration is a mandatory step before downloading data and submitting results to the challenge.
  3. Upon reception of your registration form, you will receive a link to download the dataset.
  4. After the results submission deadline the organizers will evaluate the results, and outcomes will be sent back to the authors for inclusion in their submission.

 


IMPORTANT DATES

  • Mid November 2015: Release of the first training dataset.
  • Mid November 2015: Registration opens.
  • October 2015: Challenge website launched.
  • April 4th 2016: deadline for submitting results
  • April 13th 2016: challenge session at ISBI 2016

 


PUBLICATION