Confocal laser endomicroscopy in experimental pigs. Methods of ex vivo imaging.
BACKGROUND
Confocal laser scanning endomicroscopy (CLSE) enables online in vivo cellular surface and subsurface imaging of normal and pathological tissue at high resolution and magnification. The aim of this study was to work out a method of ex vivo in vitro CLSE in experimental pigs and to compare CLSE images with those of "classic" histology.


METHODS
Five mature female pigs entered the study. CLSE on an ex vivo in vitro basis was started 10 minutes after pharmacological euthanasia and carried out for 30 minutes. Fluorescein was administrated i.v. as a fluorescence substance.


RESULTS
CLSE was successful in all tissue samples of all animals (the oesophagus, stomach, small intestine, large bowel). We have succeeded to obtain high quality images within the first 30 minutes that means 40 minutes after the euthanasia of experimental animals. CLSE images corresponded well with those of haematoxylin-eosin staining.


CONCLUSIONS
CLSE on an ex vivo in vitro basis in experimental pigs is feasible.
Kopácová
M
M
Second Department of Internal Medicine, Charles University in Praha, Faculty of Medicine at Hradec Králové, University Teaching Hospital, Hradec Králové, Czech Republic. kopacmar@fnhk.cz
Bures
J
J
Osterreicher
J
J
Kvetina
J
J
Pejchal
J
J
Tachecí
I
I
Kunes
M
M
Spelda
S
S
Rejchrt
S
S
D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D041981:Gastrointestinal Tract / Q000166:cytology; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal / Q000379:methods*; D034421:Sus scrofa