Becker's ASC Review

74 GASTROENTEROLOGY AI-assisted colonoscopy improves polyp, adenoma detection — 5 study insights By Eric Oliver A study published in Gut analyzed the effectiveness of Shanghai Wision AI's artificial intelligence-based computer aided detection system, which found sig- nificantly more adenomas and polyps than standard colonoscopy alone. Researchers studied 1,089 patients, with 536 undergoing a routine colonoscopy and 522 undergoing a computer-aided diagnosis colonoscopy. e endoscopist in the CAD group used a real-time automatic polyp detection system to assist during the colo- noscopy. Physicians checked every polyp the CAD system detected. What you should know: 1. Concerning polyps, endoscopists in the control group detected 0.51 polyps per colonoscopy, while endoscopists in the CAD group detected 0.97 polyps per colonos- copy. ere was a 1.89-fold increase in the mean number of polyps detected between the two groups. e polyp detection rate of the control group was 0.29, while the polyp detection rate of the CAD group was 0.45. 2. Concerning adenomas, endoscopists in the control group detected 0.31 adenomas per colonoscopy, while endoscopists in the CAD group detected 0.53 adenomas per colonoscopy. ere was a 1.72-fold increase in the mean number of adenomas detected between the two groups. e adenoma detection rate of the control group was 0.20, while the adenoma detection rate of the CAD group was 0.29. 3. e AI system had 39 false alarms, an av- erage of 0.075 false alarms per colonoscopy, and all polyps detected by the endoscopist were also detected by the automatic system. 4. Excluding additional biopsy time, pro- cedure times between the two groups were similar. 5. Researchers found adenoma detection rate between the two groups was statistically sig- nificant in patients with normal bowel prep, but not in patients with excellent bowel prep. "e results of this study clearly demon- strate that a high-performance, real-time automatic polyp detection system based on a deep learning algorithm can significantly increase polyp and adenoma detection, especially those that are 5 mm or less. Given its high accuracy, fidelity and stability, the Wision AI system could enable improved detection of colon polyps and adenomas in clinical practice," said Tyler Berzin, MD, GI and endoscopy co-director at Boston-based Harvard Medical School. n Gastro Health acquiring Gastroenterology Specialists, continuing Florida expansion efforts — 4 insights By Eric Oliver M iami-based Gastro Health entered into an agreement to ac- quire Longwood, Fla.-based Giles Gastroenterology Center, doing business as Gastroenterology Specialists. What you should know: 1. The acquisition is Gastro Health's second in the central Florida mar- ket. Gastro Health is in the process of expanding across the state. The practice has an extensive presence in southern Florida. 2. Gastroenterology Specialists was established in 1986. Andrew Giles, MD, Anthony Coppola, MD, and Anthony Lin, MD, will all join Gastro Health. 3. Dr. Giles said, "We are pleased and excited to join Gastro Health. The combination of our shared values having quality personnel and com- passionate care, along with Gastro Health's robust infrastructure, allows us to expand our capability and to improve the health of our patients." 4. Gastro Health CEO Joseph Garcia lauded Gastroenterology Spe- cialists, saying the acquisition, "enhances our ability to deliver quality care to the Orlando market." n PE groups eye Peak Gastroenterology Associates — 4 insights By Eric Oliver T he gastroenterology space may soon have its fourth private equity invest- ment as Colorado Springs, Colo.- based Peak Gastroenterology Associates re- tained a financial consultant, PE Hub reports. What you should know: 1. Peak retained the services of Alkaline Advi- sors to give financial advice to the group. 2. Several financial analysts believe the GI field is ripe for investment. In January, Edge- mont Partners Luke J. Mitchell told Becker's six to eight large deals could close in the first half of 2019. 3. Peak has six main practices in Colorado, supported by an array of endoscopy centers and GI-focused laboratories. 4. Peak also has 20 physicians and six nurse practitioners on staff. n

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