Imaging System Improves Diagnosis of Bile Duct Cancer
A study posted in the current issues of Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology describes the diagnostic advantages of the Cellvizio imaging system to diagnostic malignancy of the bile ducts. This means to examine allows consideration of tissue at the cellular level.
A team from the Technical University of Munich recruited fourteen patients for their trial. They investigated the utility of employing the Cellvizio confocal microscopy system to detect malignancy of the biliary tract. Tissue was examined at the cellular level via endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP).
The sensitivity of this imaging method was documented at 83 percent. This is impressive, in light of the fifty percent sensitivity rate noted with histopathologic assessment of biopsied tissue from biliary strictures. The predictive rate with the Cellvizio was 86 percent. Standard histopathology has an accuracy rate marked at 79 percent.
The research team further noted this imaging approach may be useful for the detection of other cancers that develop from ducal structures including the breast, urogenital area, and the pancreas. One component of the Cellvizio system that improves diagnosis is the ability to visualize abnormal blood vessels that occur in cancers.
Bile duct cancer is one of the most challenging types of cancer to diagnose. It is equally as difficult to treat. An important advantage of this non-invasive approach is increased diagnostic accuracy.
September 11, 2008 Related topics: New Technology & Innovation, Imaging, Diagnostic