Cholangioscopy and biliary confocal laser endomicroscopy

Abstract

The evaluation of indeterminate biliary strictures is challenging due to the low sensitivity of routine sampling at the time of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). Cholangioscopy allows for direct visualization of the biliary mucosa. Confocal laser endomicroscopy is an in vivo imaging technique that provides real-time optical biopsies. Both modalities have the potential to increase diagnostic yields at the time of ERCP. This chapter will focus on the current data available for those two technologies.