Technique

Confocal laser endomicroscopy is a new imaging modality for gastrointestinal endoscopy. It offers in vivo imaging of the mucosal layer at cellular and even subcellular resolution. This can be achieved by a miniaturized microscope, which is embedded into an otherwise normal endoscope. Thus the endomicroscope can be placed via the endoscope at any area within the intestine during ongoing endoscopy (gastroscopy, colonoscopy or enteroscopy). Thus, in vivo histology of the human gut can be observed in real time.

 

Endomicroscopy is highly beneficial for different kinds of gastrointestinal diseases, where diseased areas can be unmasked and histological analyzed. However, Endomicroscopy also expands conventional histology, because cellular interaction can be observed over time (physiology) and distinct changes can be identified (pathophysiology).