Confocal Laser Endomicroscopy in GI Tract

Technologic advances in endoscopic imaging have improved the visualization of mucosal layer, allowing to distinguish neoplastic vs nonneoplastic tissue; however, the imaging is far from a perfect tool. Although histology is a highly accurate technique, it has few limitations: false-negative results in case of ulcers or inflammation, delayed final diagnosis and treatment, and increased costs in pathology procedures with consequently repeated procedures. Moreover in some GI districts, the accuracy of cytopathology results is low like pancreatic cyst and bile duct due to the difficulties in acquiring tissue. Nevertheless histology is a postmortem analysis without informations about in vivo processes (blood flow, mucosal junction exchanges).