Confocal endomicroscopic examination of malignant biliary strictures and histologic correlation with lymphatics.

Background And Aims: Current methods to diagnose malignant biliary strictures are of low sensitivity. Confocal endomicroscopy is a new approach that may improve the diagnosis of indeterminate biliary strictures. The purpose of this study was to evaluate indeterminate biliary strictures using probe-based confocal laser endomicroscopy and to understand the histologic basis for the confocal images.

Multiphoton imaging can be used for microscopic examination of intact human gastrointestinal mucosa ex vivo.

Background & Aims: The ability to observe cellular and subcellular detail during routine endoscopy is a major goal in the development of new endoscopic imaging techniques. Multiphoton microscopy, which relies on nonlinear infrared optical processes, has the potential to identify cellular details by excitation of endogenous fluorescent molecules. We examined the feasibility of using multiphoton microscopy to characterize mucosal histology in the human gastrointestinal tract.

Acute, severe noncardiac conditions in patients with acute myocardial infarction.

Purpose: The study's purpose was to determine the prevalence and prognostic importance of acute, severe, noncardiac conditions present at the time of an acute myocardial infarction (AMI).

Methods: We identified consecutive patients with AMI who were discharged from Yale-New Haven Hospital between January 1, 1997, and June 30, 2000. Acute, noncardiac conditions that were present at admission were abstracted from patient records and graded by severity (imminent threat to life; other significant condition that would warrant admission).