The feasibility of full-spectrum endoscopy (FUSE) esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD),
providing a 245-degree field of view with double imagers on the front and left side
of the endoscope was evaluated. Twenty-one healthy individuals (15 male, median age,
35 years) underwent upper gastrointestinal screening using FUSE-EGD. The primary end
point was the rate of successful visualization of Vater’s papilla. Secondary end points
were visualization of the squamo-columnar junction (SCJ) and the anal side of the
pyloric ring, and the endoscopists’ subjective evaluation of usability based on maneuverability
and imaging of FUSE-EGD. The mean procedure time was 6.5 min, with a median of 91
images captured. The rate of successful visualization of Vater’s papilla was 90 %
(19/21). The whole circumference of the SCJ was observed with two video monitors in
all cases. The anterior anal side of the pyloric ring was observed in 29 % (6/21)
of cases. However, the general impression of the usability of FUSE-EGD was that it
was rather inferior to that of a standard front viewing endoscope. Although the usability
requires further modification, FUSE-EGD provided excellent results for imaging Vater’s
papilla and the SCJ.
