title: Photodynamic diagnosis in the gastrointestinal tract.
abstract: Clinical data on photodynamic diagnosis for the detection of premalignant and malignant lesions in the gastrointestinal tract are encouraging so far. A major benefit of using autofluorescence is the lack of side effects because no sensitizer has to be applied.However, highly sophisticated detection systems are needed to enhance the weak autofluorescence-based fluorescent signal. New prototypes of autofluorescence video endoscopes are under way and will be decisive for further clinical use, especially because results of recently published studies have been disappointing.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine I, University of Regensburg, 03042 Regensburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Esther
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Endlicher
authors.forename: Helmut
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Messmann
mesh_terms: D000622:Aminolevulinic Acid; D016099:Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal / Q000379:methods*; D005453:Fluorescence; D005770:Gastrointestinal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents; D011230:Precancerous Conditions / Q000175:diagnosis*; D011524:Protoporphyrins
chemical_list: D017319:Photosensitizing Agents; D011524:Protoporphyrins; D000622:Aminolevulinic Acid