Evaluation of the optical criteria for sessile serrated lesions of the colon: A prospective study on a colorectal cancer screening population

Background and study aims We aimed to describe the presence and combination of Hazewinkelʼs optical diagnosis (OD) criteria for sessile serrated lesions (SSL), determining which lesion characteristics increase the probability of a correct OD, with a focus on diminutive lesions. Patients and methods This was a prospective study describing the presence of Hazewinkelʼs OD criteria for SSL in lesions found in consecutive CRC screening colonoscopies. The presence of each OD criterion and their diagnostic combinations in SSL, related to the lesion’s NBI International Colorectal Endoscopic (NICE) classification category, size, and location, were described. The presence of two or more optical criteria was considered diagnostic of SSL. The OD was compared to pathology as the gold standard. Results Seventy-nine SSLs (5.6 %) were diagnosed. Cloud-like appearance was the most prevalent OD criterion (35, 44.3 %). OD criteria were more frequently identified in NICE type 1, ≥ 10 mm, and proximal lesions. Only 26 SLLs fulfilled the OD criteria (sensitivity 32.9 %, 95 % CI 29.1 %–36.7 %). The sensitivity for diminutive SSL was 14.7 %, (95 % CI 11.9 %–17.6 %). Eighty-five lesions were optically diagnosed as SSL. However, only in 26 SSL was this the definitive diagnosis (positive predictive value 30.6 %, 95 % CI 26.9 %–34.3 %). Size > 5 mm and proximal location increased the probability of a correct diagnosis. The overall accuracy of the optical criteria was 92.0 % (95 % CI, 89.8 %–94.2 %). Conclusions The Hazewinkelʼs optical criteria are not reliable for a positive diagnosis of SSL, particularly for diminutive lesions.