Interpretation of Probe-Based Confocal Laser Endomicroscopy of Indeterminate Biliary Strictures: Is There Any Interobserver Agreement?

• Published in: Digestive diseases and sciences 2012-12, Vol.57 (12), p.3299-3302
• Main Authors: Talreja, Jayant P., Sethi, Amrita, Jamidar, Priya A., Singh, Satish K., Kwon, Richard S., Siddiqui, Uzma D., Sawhney, Mandeep, Bakhru, Mihir R., Gaidhane, Monica, Kline, Pam, Sauer, Bryan G., Kahaleh, Michel
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Bile Duct Diseases - diagnosis; Bile Ducts - pathology; Biochemistry; Constriction, Pathologic - diagnosis; Constriction, Pathologic - pathology; Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal - methods; Gastroenterology; Hepatology; Humans; Internet videos; Investigations; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Microscopy, Confocal - methods; Observer Variation; Oncology; Original Article; Pilot Projects; Pneumoviridae; Reproducibility of Results; Sensitivity and Specificity; Transplant Surgery
• ISSN: 0163-2116; 1573-2568
• DOI: 10.1007/s10620-012-2338-6

Background Probe-based confocal laser endomicroscopy (pCLE) has enabled in vivo histopathology by obtaining high resolution images of the mucosal layers of the gastrointestinal tract. For indeterminate bile duct strictures, biopsy, cytologic brushing and needle aspiration have low levels of diagnostic accuracy. Aim The objective of this multi-center pilot study was to assess the interobserver agreement in interpretation of pCLE imaging. Methods Twenty-five de-identified pCLE video clips of indeterminate biliary strictures were sent to 6 observers at 5 institutions. Miami Classification was used to standardize image interpretation. Seven variables were assessed for interobserver agreement using the Fleiss kappa statistic which included: presence of thick (>20 μm) or thin (21 cases). Results Upon stratification, Category 1 interobserver agreement ranged from “Poor” to “Fair” (κ = 0.277, κ = −0.079, κ = −0.025, κ = −0.066, κ = 0.128, κ = 0.088), and for the final diagnosis variable, the agreement was slight (κ = 0.033). Category 2 and 3 interobserver agreement ranged from “Poor” to “Fair” (κ = 0.211, κ = 0.181, κ = 0.347, κ = 0.238, κ = −0.050, κ = 0.092), and for the final diagnosis variable, the agreement was slight (κ = 0.195). Conclusion The overall interobserver agreement for pCLE image interpretation in indeterminate biliary strictures ranges from poor to fair. Interpretation criteria as well as training require further standardization toward improving inter-rater reliability.