Confocal endomicroscopic examination of malignant biliary strictures and histologic correlation with lymphatics.

ABSTRACT:

Background and aims

Current methods to diagnose malignant biliary strictures are of low sensitivity. Confocal endomicroscopy is a new approach that may improve the diagnosis of indeterminate biliary strictures. The purpose of this study was to evaluate indeterminate biliary strictures using probe-based confocal laser endomicroscopy and to understand the histologic basis for the confocal images.

Methods

Fourteen patients with indeterminate biliary strictures underwent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography with examination of their common bile duct with fluorescein-aided probe-based confocal laser endomicroscopy. Standard brushings and biopsies were performed. In parallel, rat bile ducts were examined either with conventional staining and light microscopy or with mult

SUBMITTER: Loeser CS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3572850 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature