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Updated: Aug 15, 2026

Probe-based Confocal Laser Endomicroscopy of the Urinary Tract: The Technique
Published on: January 10, 2013
[Fluorescence endoscopy in the diagnosis and treatment of superficial bladder neoplasms]
D Zani1, C Simeone, S Cosciani Cunico
1Divisione Clinicizzata di Urologia, Università degli Studi di Brescia, Brescia, Italy. dazani@tiscali.it
Aim:
The results of a clinical investigation on neoplasm and bladder dysplasia detection by 5-aminolaevulinic acid (5-ALA)-induced fluorescence are reported. In this paper the authors report their experience with 5-ALA in the diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of bladder neoplasms after chemotherapy and endocavitary immunotherapy.
Methods:
The 5-ALA was instilled in the bladder 2 h before bladder transurethral resection. This method has been used since December 2000 on 163 patients and a total of 266 biopsies were histologically examined.
Results:
One-hundred and four benign and 92 malignant/dysplastic areas were biopsied; 46 malignant/dysplastic lesions were not detected during routine white-light cystoscopy but were identified with fluorescence cystoscopy. Sensitivity was 99% but specificity was low (20%).
Conclusions:
ALA-based fluorescence cystoscopy is a safe and simple technique that enhances the detection of flat and papillary urothelial neoplasms.
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