Diagnostic value of image-enhanced video cholangiopancreatoscopy

We summarized past and present results concerning the observation capability of cholangiopancratoscopy using chromoendoscopy, autofluorescence imaging (AFI), and narrow-band imaging (NBI). New generation peroral and percutaneous transhepatic video cholangiopancreatoscopes provide superior quality images. Pilot studies suggest that chromoendocholangioscopy using methylene blue or cholangioscopy using AFI can distinguish benign from malignant bile duct lesions. On the other hand, the NBI system enhances the imaging of certain features such as mucosal structures and microvessels in pancreatobiliary lesions. In patients with main-duct-type intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm, peroral pancreatoscopy can be used to determine extent of tumor involvement. Although many technical hurdles still need to be overcome, image-enhanced cholangiopancratoscopy appears to be a promising modality to improve diagnostic accuracy of pancreatobiliary diseases, particularly in distinguishing benign from malignant lesions.