Large language model for interpreting the Paris classification of colorectal polyps

Abstract

Background and study aims: Reporting of colorectal polyp morphology using the Paris classification is often inaccurate. Multimodal large language models (M-LLMs) may support morphological assessment. This study aimed to evaluate the accuracy of an M-LLM (GPT-4o) in classifying colorectal polyp morphology compared with expert and non-expert endoscopists. Patients and methods: We used the SUN dataset of colonoscopy videos from 100 unique colorectal polyps, each labeled with the validated Paris classification. An M-LLM (GPT-4o) classified five representative frames per lesion. Three expert and three non-expert endoscopists, blinded to one another, performed the same task. The primary outcome was accuracy in differentiating non-polypoid (IIa/IIc) from polypoid (Is/Ip/Isp) lesions. The secondary outcome was accuracy in differentiating sessile (Is) from pedunculated (Ip/Isp) lesions. Given the exploratory design, no multiplicity correction was applied; point estimates are presented with 95% confidence intervals (CIs), and P values are interpreted descriptively. Results: M-LLM accuracy for differentiating non-polypoid from polypoid lesions was 73% (95% CI 63%-81%), comparable to experts (75%, 65%-83%; P = 0.84) and non-experts (77%, 68%-85%; P = 0.52), with similar sensitivity and specificity. Accuracy for differentiating sessile from pedunculated lesions was 55% (95% CI 42%-67%), lower than experts (76%; P = 0.02) and non-experts (77%; P = 0.01), primarily due to poor specificity (12% vs. experts 82% and non-experts 88%; P < 0.01 for both comparisons). Conclusions: M-LLMs performed comparably to endoscopists in distinguishing non-polypoid from polypoid lesions but failed to reliably identify pedunculated morphology.