A pilot study of the feasibility of confocal endomicroscopy for examination of the human airway.

Background: Traditional methods of evaluating human airway histology, such as surgical biopsy or endobronchial biopsy, are limited by the risks associated with these tissue-sampling procedures.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to develop and evaluate the first confocal endomicroscope for real-time, in vivo imaging of human respiratory mucosa in a clinical setting.

Methods: A confocal endomicroscope prototype was designed using Pentax bronchoscope parts (EB1970K).

Confocal endomicroscopy: a novel imaging technique for in vivo histology of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia.

Optical imaging technologies, such as reflectance and fluorescence spectroscopy, have shown the potential to provide enhanced detection of changes in the uterine cervix at clinical examination. This review focuses on fluorescence confocal endomicroscopy that enables in vivo microscopic imaging of the cervical epithelium in histological detail in real time. The microscopic imaging technique may permit 'see-and-treat' workflows in colposcopy through high-resolution fluorescence imaging of cellular and subcellular detail from the surface and subepithelial layers of the cervical mucosa.

Pentax confocal endomicroscope: a novel imaging device for in vivo histology of the upper and lower gastrointestinal tract.

With advances in endoscopic imaging tools, it is becoming increasingly possible to find, assess and treat numerous gastrointestinal (GI) pathologies at the time of endoscopy. This article focuses on the newly developed Pentax confocal endomicroscope that enables in vivo microscopic imaging of the upper and lower GI tract in histological detail at the time of patient examination without the collection of biopsies. The optical imaging technique has the potential to revolutionize clinical workflows in endoscopy through high-resolution fluorescence imaging of cellular and subcellular detail from the surface and subepithelial layers of the GI mucosa.

Impact of blood flow occlusion on liver necrosis following thermal ablation.

Background: Laser, radiofrequency and microwave are common techniques for local destruction of liver tumours by thermal ablation. The main limitation of thermal ablation treatment is the volume of necrosis that can be achieved. Blood flow occlusion is commonly advocated as an adjunct to thermal ablation to increase the volume of tissue necrosis based on macroscopic and histological assessment of immediate or direct thermal injury.

Detection of morphological changes of the ovine cervix in response to sex steroids using a fluorescence confocal endomicroscope.

Objective: This study examined morphological changes of the ovine cervix in response to sex steroids using confocal microscopy.

Study Design: Experimental animals were ovariectomized, and the hormonal status of 4 groups of ewes (n = 5) was manipulated using sex steroids (no replacement, estradiol, progesterone, estradiol, and progesterone). The results were correlated with control ewes (n = 7) in naturally occurring reproductive states (estrus and midluteal).

A fluorescence confocal endomicroscope for in vivo microscopy of the upper- and the lower-GI tract.

Background: This report describes the development and the clinical evaluation of a novel confocal endomicroscope for obtaining fluorescence images of cellular morphology of the mucosae of the upper- and the lower-GI tract in vivo. The work assessed the feasibility of performing in vivo microscopy at endoscopic examination and evaluated fluorescence imaging protocols.

Methods: Images were collected in real time by using two prototype endoscope configurations, featuring slightly different miniaturized fiber-optic confocal microscopes, fitted integrally into the tips of conventional endoscopes.

Confocal laser endoscopy for diagnosing intraepithelial neoplasias and colorectal cancer in vivo.

Background & Aims: A confocal laser endoscopy system has recently been developed that may allow subsurface imaging of living cells in colonic tissue in vivo. The aim of the present study was to assess its potential for prediction of histology during screening colonoscopy for colorectal cancer.

Methods: Twenty-seven patients underwent colonoscopy with the confocal endoscope using acriflavine hydrochloride or fluorescein sodium with blue laser illumination.

In vivo detection of morphological and microvascular changes of the colon in association with colitis using fiberoptic confocal imaging (FOCI).

Using a well-established rodent model of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), the present study examined changes in the microvasculature of the colonic mucosa in association with ulcerative colitis (UC). The results were compared to microscopic alterations in tissue morphology to establish a temporal relationship between microcirculatory dysfunction and IBD pathology. Mild colitis was induced in rats by the oral consumption of 5% dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) in drinking water.