Microscopic imaging in endoscopy: endomicroscopy and endocytoscopy

Abstract

Performing real-time microscopy has been a vision of endoscopists since the very early phases of gastrointestinal endoscopy. Confocal endomicroscopy, an adaption of confocal laser scanning microscopy, and endocytoscopy, an adaption of white-light microscopy, have been introduced into the endoscopic armamentarium in the past decade. Both techniques yield on-site histological information. Multiple trials have demonstrated the ability of gastroenterologists to obtain and interpret microscopic images from the upper and lower gastrointestinal tract, and also the hepatobiliary-pancreatic system, during endoscopy. Such microscopic information has been successfully used in expert hands to minimize sampling error by 'smart', microscopically targeted biopsies and to guide endoscopic interventions. However, endomicroscopy is also unique in its ability to dynamically visualize cellular processes in their native environment free of artefacts. This ability enables fundamental insights into mechanisms of human diseases in clinical and translational science.

Controlled delivery and minimally invasive imaging of stem cells in the lung

“…6b, Supplementary Video 5), respectively. We used a custom-made imaging setup that employs a Gradient-index (GRIN) lens-based imaging probe (Diameter: ~700 μm) to visualize the cells deposited on the rat trachea 41 . Because of its small diameter, the probe could be easily inserted into the rat trachea (Fig.…”

Molecular endoscopic imaging in cancer

“…As CLE depends on tissue fluorescence, contrast agents are applied either topically or systemically. To date, CLE has been evaluated in a number of clinical studies showing the effectiveness of the technology for real‐time in vivo diagnosis of luminal, gastrointestinal diseases …”

Early Detection of Gastric Carcinoma by Advance Endoscopic Procedure: An Update.

“…High definition endoscopy and image-enhanced endoscopy [8] including narrow band imaging (NBI) [9] are the key modalities, which are commercially available for an advanced endoscopy imaging in early gastric cancer. The next stage is real-time endoscopic assessment of histology ( optical biopsy) by endocytoscopy (ECS) [10,11] and confocal microendoscopy [12].…”