細径内視鏡の泌尿器科領域における有用性

Abstract

To clearly observe the upper urinary tract with a thin flexible endoscope, we developed a novel real-time image processing system. The dark cladding portion in an image guide was electrically painted out by the light which was emitted from each core pixels to obtain bright image. Thirty patients were examined using a thin flexible endoscope with this system at retrograde pyelography or puncture of a renal or prostatic cyst. The endoscope which was 0.75mm in diameter had 3,000 pixels of image fiber. The objectives were clearly seen without the dilation of the ureteral orifice. Finer and more colorful image could be obtained with this system. However, visualization was not clear in 4 patients because of poor manipulation capability at the endoscope tip. There were no complications, such as perforation of the ureter. We concluded that a thin endoscope with the real-time processing system would be useful for the diagnosis or treatment of the upper urinary tract or a cystic disease.