TY - GEN A1 - Ebigbo, Alanna A1 - Rauber, David A1 - Ayoub, Mousa A1 - Birzle, Lisa A1 - Matsumura, Tomoaki A1 - Probst, Andreas A1 - Steinbrück, Ingo A1 - Nagl, Sandra A1 - Römmele, Christoph A1 - Meinikheim, Michael A1 - Scheppach, Markus W. A1 - Palm, Christoph A1 - Messmann, Helmut T1 - Early Esophageal Cancer and the Generalizability of Artificial Intelligence T2 - Endoscopy N2 - Aims Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems in gastrointestinal endoscopy are narrow because they are trained to solve only one specific task. Unlike Narrow-AI, general AI systems may be able to solve multiple and unrelated tasks. We aimed to understand whether an AI system trained to detect, characterize, and segment early Barrett’s neoplasia (Barrett’s AI) is only capable of detecting this pathology or can also detect and segment other diseases like early squamous cell cancer (SCC). Methods 120 white light (WL) and narrow-band endoscopic images (NBI) from 60 patients (1 WL and 1 NBI image per patient) were extracted from the endoscopic database of the University Hospital Augsburg. Images were annotated by three expert endoscopists with extensive experience in the diagnosis and endoscopic resection of early esophageal neoplasias. An AI system based on DeepLabV3+architecture dedicated to early Barrett’s neoplasia was tested on these images. The AI system was neither trained with SCC images nor had it seen the test images prior to evaluation. The overlap between the three expert annotations („expert-agreement“) was the ground truth for evaluating AI performance. Results Barrett’s AI detected early SCC with a mean intersection over reference (IoR) of 92% when at least 1 pixel of the AI prediction overlapped with the expert-agreement. When the threshold was increased to 5%, 10%, and 20% overlap with the expert-agreement, the IoR was 88%, 85% and 82%, respectively. The mean Intersection Over Union (IoU) – a metric according to segmentation quality between the AI prediction and the expert-agreement – was 0.45. The mean expert IoU as a measure of agreement between the three experts was 0.60. Conclusions In the context of this pilot study, the predictions of SCC by a Barrett’s dedicated AI showed some overlap to the expert-agreement. Therefore, features learned from Barrett’s cancer-related training might be helpful also for SCC prediction. Our results allow different possible explanations. On the one hand, some Barrett’s cancer features generalize toward the related task of assessing early SCC. On the other hand, the Barrett’s AI is less specific to Barrett’s cancer than a general predictor of pathological tissue. However, we expect to enhance the detection quality significantly by extending the training to SCC-specific data. The insight of this study opens the way towards a transfer learning approach for more efficient training of AI to solve tasks in other domains. Y1 - 2024 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0044-1783775 VL - 56 IS - S 02 SP - S428 PB - Thieme CY - Stuttgart ER - TY - GEN A1 - Scheppach, Markus W. A1 - Mendel, Robert A1 - Rauber, David A1 - Probst, Andreas A1 - Nagl, Sandra A1 - Römmele, Christoph A1 - Meinikheim, Michael A1 - Palm, Christoph A1 - Messmann, Helmut A1 - Ebigbo, Alanna T1 - Artificial Intelligence (AI) improves endoscopists’ vessel detection during endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) T2 - Endoscopy N2 - Aims While AI has been successfully implemented in detecting and characterizing colonic polyps, its role in therapeutic endoscopy remains to be elucidated. Especially third space endoscopy procedures like ESD and peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) pose a technical challenge and the risk of operator-dependent complications like intraprocedural bleeding and perforation. Therefore, we aimed at developing an AI-algorithm for intraprocedural real time vessel detection during ESD and POEM. Methods A training dataset consisting of 5470 annotated still images from 59 full-length videos (47 ESD, 12 POEM) and 179681 unlabeled images was used to train a DeepLabV3+neural network with the ECMT semi-supervised learning method. Evaluation for vessel detection rate (VDR) and time (VDT) of 19 endoscopists with and without AI-support was performed using a testing dataset of 101 standardized video clips with 200 predefined blood vessels. Endoscopists were stratified into trainees and experts in third space endoscopy. Results The AI algorithm had a mean VDR of 93.5% and a median VDT of 0.32 seconds. AI support was associated with a statistically significant increase in VDR from 54.9% to 73.0% and from 59.0% to 74.1% for trainees and experts, respectively. VDT significantly decreased from 7.21 sec to 5.09 sec for trainees and from 6.10 sec to 5.38 sec for experts in the AI-support group. False positive (FP) readings occurred in 4.5% of frames. FP structures were detected significantly shorter than true positives (0.71 sec vs. 5.99 sec). Conclusions AI improved VDR and VDT of trainees and experts in third space endoscopy and may reduce performance variability during training. Further research is needed to evaluate the clinical impact of this new technology. Y1 - 2024 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0044-1782891 VL - 56 IS - S 02 SP - S93 PB - Thieme CY - Stuttgart ER - TY - GEN A1 - Scheppach, Markus W. A1 - Nunes, Danilo Weber A1 - Arizi, X. A1 - Rauber, David A1 - Probst, Andreas A1 - Nagl, Sandra A1 - Römmele, Christoph A1 - Meinikheim, Michael A1 - Palm, Christoph A1 - Messmann, Helmut A1 - Ebigbo, Alanna T1 - Procedural phase recognition in endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) using artificial intelligence (AI) T2 - Endoscopy N2 - Aims Recent evidence suggests the possibility of intraprocedural phase recognition in surgical operations as well as endoscopic interventions such as peroral endoscopic myotomy and endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) by AI-algorithms. The intricate measurement of intraprocedural phase distribution may deepen the understanding of the procedure. Furthermore, real-time quality assessment as well as automation of reporting may become possible. Therefore, we aimed to develop an AI-algorithm for intraprocedural phase recognition during ESD. Methods A training dataset of 364385 single images from 9 full-length ESD videos was compiled. Each frame was classified into one procedural phase. Phases included scope manipulation, marking, injection, application of electrical current and bleeding. Allocation of each frame was only possible to one category. This training dataset was used to train a Video Swin transformer to recognize the phases. Temporal information was included via logarithmic frame sampling. Validation was performed using two separate ESD videos with 29801 single frames. Results The validation yielded sensitivities of 97.81%, 97.83%, 95.53%, 85.01% and 87.55% for scope manipulation, marking, injection, electric application and bleeding, respectively. Specificities of 77.78%, 90.91%, 95.91%, 93.65% and 84.76% were measured for the same parameters. Conclusions The developed algorithm was able to classify full-length ESD videos on a frame-by-frame basis into the predefined classes with high sensitivities and specificities. Future research will aim at the development of quality metrics based on single-operator phase distribution. Y1 - 2024 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0044-1783804 VL - 56 IS - S 02 SP - S439 PB - Thieme CY - Stuttgart ER - TY - GEN A1 - Scheppach, Markus W. A1 - Rauber, David A1 - Stallhofer, Johannes A1 - Muzalyova, Anna A1 - Otten, Vera A1 - Manzeneder, Carolin A1 - Schwamberger, Tanja A1 - Wanzl, Julia A1 - Schlottmann, Jakob A1 - Tadic, Vidan A1 - Probst, Andreas A1 - Schnoy, Elisabeth A1 - Römmele, Christoph A1 - Fleischmann, Carola A1 - Meinikheim, Michael A1 - Miller, Silvia A1 - Märkl, Bruno A1 - Palm, Christoph A1 - Messmann, Helmut A1 - Ebigbo, Alanna T1 - Performance comparison of a deep learning algorithm with endoscopists in the detection of duodenal villous atrophy (VA) T2 - Endoscopy N2 - Aims  VA is an endoscopic finding of celiac disease (CD), which can easily be missed if pretest probability is low. In this study, we aimed to develop an artificial intelligence (AI) algorithm for the detection of villous atrophy on endoscopic images. Methods 858 images from 182 patients with VA and 846 images from 323 patients with normal duodenal mucosa were used for training and internal validation of an AI algorithm (ResNet18). A separate dataset was used for external validation, as well as determination of detection performance of experts, trainees and trainees with AI support. According to the AI consultation distribution, images were stratified into “easy” and “difficult”. Results Internal validation showed 82%, 85% and 84% for sensitivity, specificity and accuracy. External validation showed 90%, 76% and 84%. The algorithm was significantly more sensitive and accurate than trainees, trainees with AI support and experts in endoscopy. AI support in trainees was associated with significantly improved performance. While all endoscopists showed significantly lower detection for “difficult” images, AI performance remained stable. Conclusions The algorithm outperformed trainees and experts in sensitivity and accuracy for VA detection. The significant improvement with AI support suggests a potential clinical benefit. Stable performance of the algorithm in “easy” and “difficult” test images may indicate an advantage in macroscopically challenging cases. Y1 - 2023 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0043-1765421 VL - 55 IS - S02 PB - Thieme ER - TY - GEN A1 - Scheppach, Markus W. A1 - Weber Nunes, Danilo A1 - Arizi, X. A1 - Rauber, David A1 - Probst, Andreas A1 - Nagl, Sandra A1 - Römmele, Christoph A1 - Palm, Christoph A1 - Messmann, Helmut A1 - Ebigbo, Alanna T1 - Single frame workflow recognition during endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) using artificial intelligence (AI) T2 - Endoscopy N2 - Aims  Precise surgical phase recognition and evaluation may improve our understanding of complex endoscopic procedures. Furthermore, quality control measurements and endoscopy training could benefit from objective descriptions of surgical phase distributions. Therefore, we aimed to develop an artificial intelligence algorithm for frame-by-frame operational phase recognition during endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD). Methods  Full length ESD-videos from 31 patients comprising 6.297.782 single images were collected retrospectively. Videos were annotated on a frame-by-frame basis for the operational macro-phases diagnostics, marking, injection, dissection and bleeding. Further subphases were the application of electrical current, visible injection of fluid into the submucosal space and scope manipulation, leading to 11 phases in total. 4.975.699 frames (21 patients) were used for training of a video swin transformer using uniform frame sampling for temporal information. Hyperparameter tuning was performed with 897.325 further frames (6 patients), while 424.758 frames (4 patients) were used for validation. Results  The overall F1 scores on the test dataset for the macro-phases and all 11 phases were 0.96 and 0.90, respectively. The recall values for diagnostics, marking, injection, dissection and bleeding were 1.00, 1.00, 0.95, 0.96 and 0.93, respectively. Conclusions  The algorithm classified operational phases during ESD with high accuracy. A precise evaluation of phase distribution may allow for the development of objective quality metrics for quality control and training. Y1 - 2025 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0045-1806324 VL - 57 IS - S 02 SP - S511 PB - Thieme CY - Stuttgart ER - TY - GEN A1 - Roser, David A1 - Meinikheim, Michael A1 - Mendel, Robert A1 - Palm, Christoph A1 - Probst, Andreas A1 - Muzalyova, Anna A1 - Scheppach, Markus W. A1 - Nagl, Sandra A1 - Schnoy, Elisabeth A1 - Römmele, Christoph A1 - Schulz, Dominik Andreas Helmut Otto A1 - Schlottmann, Jakob A1 - Prinz, Friederike A1 - Rauber, David A1 - Rückert, Tobias A1 - Matsumura, Tomoaki A1 - Fernandez-Esparrach, G. A1 - Parsa, Nasim A1 - Byrne, Michael F. A1 - Messmann, Helmut A1 - Ebigbo, Alanna T1 - Human-Computer Interaction: Impact of Artificial Intelligence on the diagnostic confidence of endoscopists assessing videos of Barrett’s esophagus T2 - Endoscopy N2 - Aims Human-computer interactions (HCI) may have a relevant impact on the performance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Studies show that although endoscopists assessing Barrett’s esophagus (BE) with AI improve their performance significantly, they do not achieve the level of the stand-alone performance of AI. One aspect of HCI is the impact of AI on the degree of certainty and confidence displayed by the endoscopist. Indirectly, diagnostic confidence when using AI may be linked to trust and acceptance of AI. In a BE video study, we aimed to understand the impact of AI on the diagnostic confidence of endoscopists and the possible correlation with diagnostic performance. Methods 22 endoscopists from 12 centers with varying levels of BE experience reviewed ninety-six standardized endoscopy videos. Endoscopists were categorized into experts and non-experts and randomly assigned to assess the videos with and without AI. Participants were randomized in two arms: Arm A assessed videos first without AI and then with AI, while Arm B assessed videos in the opposite order. Evaluators were tasked with identifying BE-related neoplasia and rating their confidence with and without AI on a scale from 0 to 9. Results The utilization of AI in Arm A (without AI first, with AI second) significantly elevated confidence levels for experts and non-experts (7.1 to 8.0 and 6.1 to 6.6, respectively). Only non-experts benefitted from AI with a significant increase in accuracy (68.6% to 75.5%). Interestingly, while the confidence levels of experts without AI were higher than those of non-experts with AI, there was no significant difference in accuracy between these two groups (71.3% vs. 75.5%). In Arm B (with AI first, without AI second), experts and non-experts experienced a significant reduction in confidence (7.6 to 7.1 and 6.4 to 6.2, respectively), while maintaining consistent accuracy levels (71.8% to 71.8% and 67.5% to 67.1%, respectively). Conclusions AI significantly enhanced confidence levels for both expert and non-expert endoscopists. Endoscopists felt significantly more uncertain in their assessments without AI. Furthermore, experts with or without AI consistently displayed higher confidence levels than non-experts with AI, irrespective of comparable outcomes. These findings underscore the possible role of AI in improving diagnostic confidence during endoscopic assessment. Y1 - 2024 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0044-1782859 SN - 1438-8812 VL - 56 IS - S 02 SP - 79 PB - Georg Thieme Verlag ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Roser, David A1 - Meinikheim, Michael A1 - Muzalyova, Anna A1 - Mendel, Robert A1 - Palm, Christoph A1 - Probst, Andreas A1 - Nagl, Sandra A1 - Scheppach, Markus W. A1 - Römmele, Christoph A1 - Schnoy, Elisabeth A1 - Parsa, Nasim A1 - Byrne, Michael F. A1 - Messmann, Helmut A1 - Ebigbo, Alanna T1 - Artificial intelligence-assisted endoscopy and examiner confidence : a study on human–artificial intelligence interaction in Barrett's Esophagus (With Video) JF - DEN Open N2 - Objective Despite high stand-alone performance, studies demonstrate that artificial intelligence (AI)-supported endoscopic diagnostics often fall short in clinical applications due to human-AI interaction factors. This video-based trial on Barrett's esophagus aimed to investigate how examiner behavior, their levels of confidence, and system usability influence the diagnostic outcomes of AI-assisted endoscopy. Methods The present analysis employed data from a multicenter randomized controlled tandem video trial involving 22 endoscopists with varying degrees of expertise. Participants were tasked with evaluating a set of 96 endoscopic videos of Barrett's esophagus in two distinct rounds, with and without AI assistance. Diagnostic confidence levels were recorded, and decision changes were categorized according to the AI prediction. Additional surveys assessed user experience and system usability ratings. Results AI assistance significantly increased examiner confidence levels (p < 0.001) and accuracy. Withdrawing AI assistance decreased confidence (p < 0.001), but not accuracy. Experts consistently reported higher confidence than non-experts (p < 0.001), regardless of performance. Despite improved confidence, correct AI guidance was disregarded in 16% of all cases, and 9% of initially correct diagnoses were changed to incorrect ones. Overreliance on AI, algorithm aversion, and uncertainty in AI predictions were identified as key factors influencing outcomes. The System Usability Scale questionnaire scores indicated good to excellent usability, with non-experts scoring 73.5 and experts 85.6. Conclusions Our findings highlight the pivotal function of examiner behavior in AI-assisted endoscopy. To fully realize the benefits of AI, implementing explainable AI, improving user interfaces, and providing targeted training are essential. Addressing these factors could enhance diagnostic accuracy and confidence in clinical practice. Y1 - 2025 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1002/deo2.70150 VL - 6 IS - 1 PB - Wiley ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Scheppach, Markus W. A1 - Rauber, David A1 - Stallhofer, Johannes A1 - Muzalyova, Anna A1 - Otten, Vera A1 - Manzeneder, Carolin A1 - Schwamberger, Tanja A1 - Wanzl, Julia A1 - Schlottmann, Jakob A1 - Tadic, Vidan A1 - Probst, Andreas A1 - Schnoy, Elisabeth A1 - Römmele, Christoph A1 - Fleischmann, Carola A1 - Meinikheim, Michael A1 - Miller, Silvia A1 - Märkl, Bruno A1 - Stallmach, Andreas A1 - Palm, Christoph A1 - Messmann, Helmut A1 - Ebigbo, Alanna T1 - Detection of duodenal villous atrophy on endoscopic images using a deep learning algorithm JF - Gastrointestinal Endoscopy N2 - Background and aims Celiac disease with its endoscopic manifestation of villous atrophy is underdiagnosed worldwide. The application of artificial intelligence (AI) for the macroscopic detection of villous atrophy at routine esophagogastroduodenoscopy may improve diagnostic performance. Methods A dataset of 858 endoscopic images of 182 patients with villous atrophy and 846 images from 323 patients with normal duodenal mucosa was collected and used to train a ResNet 18 deep learning model to detect villous atrophy. An external data set was used to test the algorithm, in addition to six fellows and four board certified gastroenterologists. Fellows could consult the AI algorithm’s result during the test. From their consultation distribution, a stratification of test images into “easy” and “difficult” was performed and used for classified performance measurement. Results External validation of the AI algorithm yielded values of 90 %, 76 %, and 84 % for sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy, respectively. Fellows scored values of 63 %, 72 % and 67 %, while the corresponding values in experts were 72 %, 69 % and 71 %, respectively. AI consultation significantly improved all trainee performance statistics. While fellows and experts showed significantly lower performance for “difficult” images, the performance of the AI algorithm was stable. Conclusion In this study, an AI algorithm outperformed endoscopy fellows and experts in the detection of villous atrophy on endoscopic still images. AI decision support significantly improved the performance of non-expert endoscopists. The stable performance on “difficult” images suggests a further positive add-on effect in challenging cases. KW - celiac disease KW - villous atrophy KW - endoscopy detection KW - artificial intelligence Y1 - 2023 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gie.2023.01.006 PB - Elsevier ER - TY - GEN A1 - Meinikheim, Michael A1 - Mendel, Robert A1 - Probst, Andreas A1 - Scheppach, Markus W. A1 - Schnoy, Elisabeth A1 - Nagl, Sandra A1 - Römmele, Christoph A1 - Prinz, Friederike A1 - Schlottmann, Jakob A1 - Golger, Daniela A1 - Palm, Christoph A1 - Messmann, Helmut A1 - Ebigbo, Alanna T1 - AI-assisted detection and characterization of early Barrett's neoplasia: Results of an Interim analysis T2 - Endoscopy N2 - Aims  Evaluation of the add-on effect an artificial intelligence (AI) based clinical decision support system has on the performance of endoscopists with different degrees of expertise in the field of Barrett's esophagus (BE) and Barrett's esophagus-related neoplasia (BERN). Methods  The support system is based on a multi-task deep learning model trained to solve a segmentation and several classification tasks. The training approach represents an extension of the ECMT semi-supervised learning algorithm. The complete system evaluates a decision tree between estimated motion, classification, segmentation, and temporal constraints, to decide when and how the prediction is highlighted to the observer. In our current study, ninety-six video cases of patients with BE and BERN were prospectively collected and assessed by Barrett's specialists and non-specialists. All video cases were evaluated twice – with and without AI assistance. The order of appearance, either with or without AI support, was assigned randomly. Participants were asked to detect and characterize regions of dysplasia or early neoplasia within the video sequences. Results  Standalone sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of the AI system were 92.16%, 68.89%, and 81.25%, respectively. Mean sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of expert endoscopists without AI support were 83,33%, 58,20%, and 71,48 %, respectively. Gastroenterologists without Barrett's expertise but with AI support had a comparable performance with a mean sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of 76,63%, 65,35%, and 71,36%, respectively. Conclusions  Non-Barrett's experts with AI support had a similar performance as experts in a video-based study. Y1 - 2023 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0043-1765437 VL - 55 IS - S02 PB - Thieme ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Scheppach, Markus W. A1 - Mendel, Robert A1 - Muzalyova, Anna A1 - Rauber, David A1 - Probst, Andreas A1 - Nagl, Sandra A1 - Römmele, Christoph A1 - Yip, Hon Chi A1 - Lau, Louis Ho Shing A1 - Gölder, Stefan Karl A1 - Schmidt, Arthur A1 - Kouladouros, Konstantinos A1 - Abdelhafez, Mohamed A1 - Walter, Benjamin M. A1 - Meinikheim, Michael A1 - Chiu, Philip Wai Yan A1 - Palm, Christoph A1 - Messmann, Helmut A1 - Ebigbo, Alanna T1 - Artificial intelligence improves submucosal vessel detection during third space endoscopy JF - Endoscopy N2 - Background and study aims: While artificial intelligence (AI) shows high potential in decision support for diagnostic gastrointestinal endoscopy, its role in therapeutic endoscopy remains unclear. Third space endoscopic procedures pose the risk of intraprocedural bleeding. Therefore, we aimed to develop an AI algorithm for intraprocedural blood vessel detection. Patients and Methods: Using a test dataset with 101 standardized video clips containing 200 predefined submucosal blood vessels, 19 endoscopists were evaluated for the vessel detection rate (VDR) and time (VDT) with and without support of an AI algorithm. Test subjects were grouped according to experience in ESD. Results: With AI support, endoscopists VDR increased from 56.4% [CI 54.1–58.6] to 72.4% [CI 70.3–74.4]. Endoscopists‘ VDT dropped from 6.7sec [CI 6.2-7.1] to 5.2sec [CI 4.8-5.7]. False positive (FP) readings appeared in 4.5% of frames and were marked significantly shorter than true positives (6.0sec [CI 5.28-6.70] vs. 0.7sec [CI 0.55-0.87]). Conclusions: AI improved the vessel detection rate and time of endoscopists during third space endoscopy. While these data need to be corroborated by clinical trials, AI may prove to be an invaluable tool for the improvement of endoscopic interventions. KW - Artificial Intelligence KW - Third Space Endoscopy Y1 - 2025 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1055/a-2534-1164 PB - Thieme CY - Stuttgart ER -