[Confocal laser endomicroscopy principles and performing algorithm in gastric mucosa examination]

Accuracy of endoscopic examination in early gastric cancer and precancerous conditions diagnostics for many years depended only on quality of biopsy. That's why, risk of overlooking gastric focal carcinoma, particularly-- multiple, was relatively high. Last couple of years new endoscopic method--confocal laser endomicroscopy (CLE) was released for commercial use. This approach provides real-time information about morphology of gastric mucosa during endoscopic examination. CLE is a variation of confocal microscopy--morphologic technique, providing examination of thick specimens or live tissue. CLE system is a single-channel fluorescence microscope, used in endoscopy, where confocal probe incorporated into endoscope or mounted into accessory channel. For proper results of CLE intravenous administration of fluorescence agent is needed. In our study in P.A. Herzen Moscow Cancer Research Institute we have used 10% fluorescein sodium, due to acriflavine use is prohibited in Russian Federation. In 157 patients with suspected early gastric cancer mean time of CLE was 24 ± 3.5 min. In all cases descriptive images were acquired. Mean amount of endomicrosocpic images in one patient was as high as 162 ± 8.3.