Detection of cholangiocarcinoma in vivo using miniprobe-based confocal fluorescence microscopy

Background: The preoperative diagnosis of cholangiocarcinomas is associated with low accuracy. Here a new imaging modality was evaluated to detect neoplasia in vivo in the biliary tract. Methods: Mucosal imaging was performed with a confocal laser scanning miniprobe after intravenous injection of fluorescein 1%. After an initial feasabilty study performed in two pigs, a total of 14 patients with biliary strictures were examined in vivo with a specially designed miniaturized confocal laser probe thin enough to be inserted through the accessory channel of a peroral cholangioscope. In the first half, the probe was…