Role of advanced endoscopic imaging techniques in the management of inflammatory bowel disease

Endoscopy plays a crucial role in the management of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in terms of diagnosis, monitoring of mucosal status, and surveillance of colitis-associated neoplasia. Mucosal healing evaluated by endoscopy has been recognized as the target of treatment in the era of powerful biologics therapy. The optimal modality for identifying dysplasia in IBD has yet to be well defined. Increasing progress has recently been made in endoscopic technologies to more accurately assess mucosal inflammation and more effectively detect dysplasia. Here we review the data of advanced endoscopic imaging techniques such as chromoendoscopy, virtual chromoendoscopy, endocytoscopy, and confocal laser endomicroscopy in the management of IBD.