Can AI-assisted colonoscopy help doctors find more right-sided colorectal adenomas?
Adenomas are growths in the colon that can develop into cancer over time. Detecting these polyps is a primary goal of a colonoscopy. Because the right side of the colon can be harder to examine, some research focuses on whether technology can help doctors find these specific lesions.
What the research says
Evidence suggests that artificial intelligence (AI) can improve the adenoma detection rate (ADR). A meta-analysis of 48 randomized trials found that AI-assisted systems significantly improved the detection of adenomas compared to standard colonoscopy 3. Different AI systems showed varying levels of effectiveness in improving these rates 3.
In specific settings, such as during the training of gastroenterology fellows, AI-assisted colonoscopy was linked to a higher right-sided adenoma detection rate (RADR) compared to conventional methods 4. Additionally, combining computer-aided detection (CADe) with enhanced imaging techniques was shown to improve the adenoma detection rate for standard-detector endoscopists 1.
What to ask your doctor
- Does your facility use AI-assisted tools to help identify polyps during colonoscopies?
- How effective is AI at finding adenomas specifically on the right side of the colon?
- What type of imaging technology or computer-aided detection (CADe) is used during my procedure?
- How does the use of these technologies impact the total time spent on the procedure?
This question is drawn from common patient questions about Gastroenterology and answered using cited medical research. We do not provide individualized advice.