Confocal Laser Endomicroscopy: Technical Advances and Clinical Applications

Abstract

Since its introduction in 2004, confocal laser endomicroscopy (CLE) has emerged as a valuable tool for gastrointestinal endoscopic imaging. Endomicroscopy enables the endoscopist to obtain real time in vivo histology during ongoing endoscopy thereby creating “optical biopsies.” To date, numerous studies have shown potential applications of endomicroscopy in the clinical setting, including in vivo diagnosis of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, Barrett’s esophagus, celiac disease, and colonic polyps. Moreover, recent data suggest the potential application of endomicroscopy in the field of molecular imaging. Additionally, in recent months new applications and developments in the field of confocal imaging were introduced including endomicroscopy of the liver, pancreatic, and bile ducts. Furthermore, by introducing a new needle-based confocal imaging system, which is small enough to be introduced through a 22gauge puncture needle, a wide field for new applications of endomicroscopic imaging has been opened. Currently, 2 CE- and US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)approved devices for endomicroscopy are available (Figures 1 and 2; Supplementary Table 1). In this review, we introduce both systems and discuss new technical advances and clinical applications of CLE.