title: Endocytoscopy: novel endoscopic imaging technology for in-situ observation of bladder cancer cells.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Recent advances in endoscopy have enabled microscopic imaging of live bladdercancer cells in situ. The newly developed Endocystoscopy system (Olympus Medical Systems Co., Tokyo, Japan) is a flexible digital endoscope that has more than a 450-fold magnifying power on a video monitor.
  
  
  METHODS
  This supermagnifying endoscope was used to evaluate bladder carcinoma in five patients through the working channel of a rigid cystoscope.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The cell structure and nuclear morphology were imaged adequately compared with conventional hematoxylin and eosin staining of a biopsy specimen. The tumors were graded correctly in four of five cases.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This novel technology appears to be useful for histologic diagnosis during endoscopic examinations, potentially allowing us to avoid a conventional biopsy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, School of Medicine, Keio University, Tokyo, Japan. ohigashi@sc.itc.keio.ac.jp
authors.forename: Takashi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ohigashi
authors.forename: Norihide
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kozakai
authors.forename: Ryuichi
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mizuno
authors.forename: Akira
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Miyajima
authors.forename: Masaru
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Murai
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000473:pathology*; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000648:ultrastructure; D020684:Cystoscopes; D003558:Cystoscopy; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D001749:Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*