title: Comparison of 2.6- and 1.4-mm imaging probes for confocal laser endomicroscopy of the urinary tract.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Probe-based confocal laser endomicroscopy (pCLE) is an emerging technology for dynamic, in vivo imaging of the urinary tract with micron-scale resolution. We conducted a comparative analysis of pCLE with a 2.6-mm probe and a 1.4-mm probe that is compatible with flexible endoscopes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty-seven patients scheduled for bladder tumor resection were recruited. pCLE imaging was performed using 2.6- and 1.4-mm probes. Image quality with the different probes was examined and further compared with standard histopathology.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Images with the 2.6-mm probe have better resolution of cell morphology. The 1.4-mm probe has a wider field of view and better view of microarchitecture. While image quality with the 2.6-mm probe is superior, the 1.4-mm probe is compatible with flexible cystoscopy and maneuverability is maintained, enabling imaging of areas of the bladder that were previously challenging to access with the larger probe.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The optical specifications of the 2.6-mm probe are more suitable for distinguishing urinary tract histopathology. Further design optimization to improve resolution and additional validation of the diagnostic accuracy of the smaller probe are needed to help extend application of pCLE for optical biopsy of the upper and lower urinary tract.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology and Bio-X Program, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California 94305-5118, USA.
authors.forename: Winifred
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Adams
authors.forename: Katherine
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Jen-Jane
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Shelly Teng Teng
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Hsiao
authors.forename: Kristin C
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Jensen
authors.forename: Joseph C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Liao
mesh_terms: D003952:Diagnostic Imaging / Q000295:instrumentation*; D019723:Endoscopes; D004724:Endoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal / Q000379:methods*; D001749:Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis; D014551:Urinary Tract / Q000473:pathology*; D019459:Urothelium / Q000473:pathology