Optical coherence tomography of the biliary tree during ERCP.
BACKGROUND
Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a high-resolution imaging technique that produces cross-sectional images in vivo. This is a report of the first use of OCT to acquire images of the biliary tree during ERCP.


METHODS
A 2.6-mm diameter OCT catheter delivered through the accessory channel of a duodenoscope was used to acquire images of the intrahepatic and extrahepatic bile ducts in 5 patients. Histology-correlated OCT images of 5 cadaveric livers, each imaged at 3 sites, were used to guide interpretation of the in vivo images.


RESULTS
Biliary ductal epithelium and subepithelial structures, including peribiliary glands, vasculature, and hepatic parenchyma, were visualized in vivo. The papillary architecture of cholangiocarcinoma was identified by OCT. There were no OCT-related complications.


CONCLUSIONS
High-resolution OCT imaging of the biliary tree is feasible and may provide useful diagnostic information during ERCP.
Poneros
John M
JM
Gastrointestinal Unit, Wellman Laboratories of Photomedicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
Tearney
Guillermo J
GJ
Shiskov
Milen
M
Kelsey
Peter B
PB
Lauwers
Gregory Y
GY
Nishioka
Norman S
NS
Bouma
Brett E
BE
D001649:Bile Duct Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology; D001650:Bile Duct Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis; D001652:Bile Ducts / Q000473:pathology*; D001653:Bile Ducts, Intrahepatic; D018281:Cholangiocarcinoma / Q000175:diagnosis; D002760:Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde / Q000379:methods*; D003238:Connective Tissue / Q000473:pathology; D004384:Duodenoscopy; D004848:Epithelium / Q000473:pathology; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005471:Fluoroscopy; D006801:Humans; D007259:Infrared Rays; D010865:Pilot Projects; D014054:Tomography / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*