Analysis of colonic glands size and layout using probe-based confocal laser endomicroscopy: A promising way towards in vivo differentiation between grades of intraepithelial neoplasia?

Staining techniques currently used during endomicroscopic procedures do not allow in vivo differentiation between grades of intraepithelial neoplasia. This information is essential because it informs the degree of malignancy of the lesion and determines the most appropriate therapeutic treatment. The use of the Cellvizio (R) GI system (Mauna Kea Technologies, Paris. France) allowed us to report here a series of observations relating to the size of colonic glands, and their layout on epithelial surface. These quantitative data were determined thanks to the analysis of several images mosaics from normal mucosa, hyperplastic polyps. and tubular adenoma. Our results showed that the glandular diameter and spacing had different features according to the histology and the grade of intraepithelial neoplasia. (C) 2012 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.