Endocytoscopy: novel endoscopic imaging technology for in-situ observation of bladder cancer cells.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: 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.

PATIENTS AND

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.

CONCLUSION

This novel technology appears to be useful for histologic diagnosis during endoscopic examinations, potentially allowing us to avoid a conventional biopsy.