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Copyright ©2009 The WJG Press and Baishideng. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Dec 14, 2009; 15(46): 5770-5775
Published online Dec 14, 2009. doi: 10.3748/wjg.15.5770
Confocal laser endomicroscopy in the “in vivo” histological diagnosis of the gastrointestinal tract
Giovanni D De Palma
Giovanni D De Palma, Department of Surgery and Advanced Technologies, Center of Excellence for Technical Innovation in Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, School of Medicine, via Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy
Author contributions: De Palma GD contributed solely to this paper.
Correspondence to: Giovanni D De Palma, Professor, Department of Surgery and Advanced Technologies, Center of Excellence for Technical Innovation in Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, School of Medicine, via Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy. giovanni.depalma@unina.it
Telephone: +39-81-7462773 Fax: +39-81-7462752
Received: August 12, 2009
Revised: November 6, 2009
Accepted: November 13, 2009
Published online: December 14, 2009
Abstract

Recent technological advances in miniaturization have allowed for a confocal scanning microscope to be integrated into a conventional flexible endoscope, or into trans-endoscopic probes, a technique now known as confocal endomicroscopy or confocal laser endomicroscopy. This newly-developed technology has enabled endoscopists to collect real-time in vivo histological images or “virtual biopsies” of the gastrointestinal mucosa during endoscopy, and has stimulated significant interest in the application of this technique in clinical gastroenterology. This review aims to evaluate the current data on the technical aspects and the utility of this new technology in clinical gastroenterology and its potential impact in the future, particularly in the screening or surveillance of gastrointestinal neoplasia.

Keywords: Confocal microscopy; Diagnostic imaging; Gastrointestinal neoplasms; Precancerous conditions; Endoscopy; Virtual histology