Confocal laser endomicroscopy (CLE) as a guidance tool for pleural biopsies in malignant pleural mesothelioma.

CONCLUSIONS: CLE imaging was feasible and safe regardless of the biopsy method. Real-time visualization of pleural abnormalities in epithelial and sarcomatoid MPM, could be distinguished from pleural fibrosis. Therefore, CLE has potential as a guidance biopsy tool, to reduce the current substantial rate of repeat biopsy procedures, by identification of areas with malignant cells in vivo (smart needle).
PMID: 31075217 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Source: Chest - May 6, 2019 Category: Respiratory Medicine Authors: Wijmans L, Baas P, Sieburgh TE, de Bruin DM, Ghuijs PM, van de Vijver MJ, Bonta PI, Annema JT Tags: Chest Source Type: research