Evaluation of two parameters, color and morphology (irregularities in the mucosal surface), forms the basis of conventional endoscopic diagnosis. Similarly, I believe that interpretation of magnified endoscopic (ME) findings should use two components, microvascular architecture (V) and microsurface structure (S), assessing each component separately and then integrating both findings.

The reason for this system is that in the normal mucosa, the microvascular architecture (V) and microsurface structure (S) coincide in the interstitial regions between crypts (intervening part), where the capillaries are regularly distributed. In the pathological state, however, this principle of concordance between the intervening part and the presence of capillaries is not consistently followed [5]. This book will use this VS classification system, reporting magnified endoscopic findings regarding the microvascular architecture (V) and microsurface structure (S) separately. I will use consistent terminology throughout, following the principles of this diagnostic system, with added explanations of the findings.