Magnetic endoscopic imaging as a rational investment for specific colonoscopies: a systematic review and meta-analysis

ABSTRACT

Background

Magnetic endoscopic imaging (MEI) was regarded as an adjuvant device to improve procedural efficacy and patients’ comfort during colonoscopy.

Methods

Several electronic databases were searched to identify eligible studies. Based on the heterogeneity of included studies, random-effects or fixed-effects models were used to calculate pooled risk ratios (RR), risk difference (RD) or mean difference (MD) along with 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

Results

Twenty-one randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were selected for meta-analysis, with a total of 7,060 patients. Although there is a slightly lower risk of cecal intubation failure with the adjuvant of MEI (RD 3%; P < 0.00001) compared to the control group, the updated studies show no significant benefits. Similarly, the cecal intubation time, pain scores, and loop formation with the adjuvant of MEI did not show any advantages. However, considerable significant benefits were found in the subgroup of technically difficult colonoscopy and inexperienced colonoscopists. Moreover, MEI was associated with lower loop intubation time, lower abdominal compression times, and better lesion localization.

Conclusion

The clinical benefits of MEI could be exaggerated. However, MEI has considerable advantages in technically difficult colonoscopies, the assistance for inexperienced colonoscopists, loop resolving, and lesion localization.

KEYWORDS:

• Colonoscope
• magnetic endoscopic imaging
• magnetic
• imaging
• loop resolving

Acknowledgments

This study was funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (grant 81472692 and 81573012). And it was also supported by the program of China Scholarships Council (grant 201806370236).

Author contributions

T.X. and Y.W. acquisition of data, analysis and interpretation of data, drafting the article, final approval; W.D., H.C., M.B., and G.K. revising the article, final approval; T.X., C.Z. and C.Z. conception and design of the study, critical revision, final approval.

Declaration of interest

Xiangzhou Tan is supported by the program of China Scholarships Council (grant 201806370236). Zihua Chen is supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (grant 81472692 and 81573012). The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

Reviewer disclosures

Peer reviewers on this manuscript have no relevant financial or other relationships to disclose.

Supplementary material

Supplemental data for this article can be accessed here.

Additional information

Funding

This paper was funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China [grant 81472692 and 81573012] and the program of China Scholarships Council [grant 201806370236].