Three-dimensional visualization improves the endoscopic diagnosis of superficial gastric neoplasia

BACKGROUND: Three-dimensional (3D) technology has been used in many fields, including flexible endoscopy. We evaluated the usefulness of 3D visualization for endoscopically diagnosing superficial gastric neoplasia. METHODS: Twelve participants (4 novices, 4 trainees and 4 experts) evaluated two-dimensional (2D) and 3D endoscopic still images of 28 gastric neoplasias, obtained before ESD with white-light imaging (WLI) and narrow-band imaging (NBI). Assessments of the delineation accuracy of tumor extent and tumor morphology under 2D and 3D visualization were based on the histopathological diagnosis of ESD specimens. Participants answered visual analog scale (VAS) questionnaires (0–10, worst to best) concerning the (a) ease of recognition of lesion morphology, (b) lesion extent and (c) comprehensive endoscopic cognition under 2D and 3D visualization. The endpoints were the accuracy of tumor extent and morphology type and the degree of confidence in assessing (a)–(c). RESULTS: The delineation accuracy of lesion extent [mean (95% confidence interval)] with WLI under 3D visualization [60.2% (56.1–64.3%)] was significantly higher than that under 2D visualization [52.3% (48.2–56.4%)] (P < 0.001). The accuracy with NBI under 3D visualization [70.3% (66.8–73.7%)] was also significantly higher than that under 2D visualization [64.2% (60.7–67.4%)] (P < 0.001). The accuracy of the morphology type with NBI under 3D visualization was significantly higher than that under 2D visualization (P = 0.004). The VAS for all aspects of endoscopic recognition under 3D visualization was significantly better than that under 2D visualization (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Three-dimensional visualization can enhance the diagnostic quality for superficial gastric tumors. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12876-021-01829-y.