Confocal laser endomicroscopy (CLE) is a novel technique that allows in vivo microscopic imaging of the gastrointestinal mucosa. CLE has been used to study many gastrointestinal disorders, including Barrett's esophagus (BE), gastrointestinal neoplasia, and inflammatory bowel disease. There are two endomicroscopy systems currently used, an endoscope-based system (eCLE) and a probe-based system (pCLE), each with different strengths and weaknesess. This article discusses the current technique for performing endomicroscopy as it is applied for evaluation of patients with BE and compares the two available systems. Learning endomicroscopy requires technical mastery to obtain stable images and cognitive mastery of endomicroscopy image interpretation.
aDivision of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
bDepartment of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
Address reprint requests to Marcia I. Canto, MD, MHS, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 1830 East Monument Street, Room 427, Baltimore, MD 21205
The authors report no direct financial interests that might pose a conflict of interest in connection with the submitted manuscript.
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