title: Cholangioscopy: the biliary tree never looked so good!
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Endoscopists have long awaited advances in the equipment and techniques for cholangiopancreatoscopy. Since the turn of the millennium, endoscopists have witnessed an explosion in the development and refinement of the capabilities of cholangioscopes as they move from being almost exclusive to tertiary care academic settings to a wider range of practices.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Studies have tested and constructively critiqued the procedure, hoping to increase the success rate of diagnostic and therapeutic interventions. Many have found significant improvement upon the limitations of radiographic imaging in diagnosing diseases and achieving full clearance of biliary stones. Image quality has improved with a range of features. However, most of these still need to be studied further. The addition of balloon catheters and overtubes has improved stability and access to the biliary ducts, but comes with complications that need to be studied further.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although we still have improvements to yearn for, the future looks bright. As endoscopists continue their commitment to the promise of direct visualization of the biliary trees and the complementary tools for diagnosis and treatment, we are continuing to raise quality of care for patients with complicated biliary diseases.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Cleveland Clinic Florida, Weston, FL, USA.
authors.forename: Tolga
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Erim
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Shiroky
authors.forename: Douglas K
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Pleskow
mesh_terms: D001649:Bile Duct Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D001650:Bile Duct Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D002760:Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic / Q000379:methods; D016145:Endoscopy, Digestive System / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods