Abstract

The use of laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy in differentiating adenomatous polyps from hyperplastic polyps in vivo was investigated. Hyperplastic polyps result when normal epithelial cells fail to detach and generally have no real medical significance. Adenomatous polyps, on the other hand, are composed of neoplastic (i.e., poorly differentiated) epithelial cells and show a strong correlation with subsequent malignancy. Hence early detection via optical diagnostics would have great value for the colonoscopist.

© 1990 Optical Society of America