SAGES TAVAC safety and efficacy analysis confocal laser endomicroscopy.

BACKGROUND: Confocal laser endomicroscopy (CLE) is a novel endoscopic adjunct that allows real-time in vivo histological examination of mucosal surfaces. By using intravenous or topical fluorescent agents, CLE highlights certain mucosal elements that facilitate an optical biopsy in real time. CLE technology has been used in different organ systems including the gastrointestinal tract. There has been numerous studies evaluating this technology in gastrointestinal endoscopy, our aim was to evaluate the safety, value, and efficacy of this technology in the gastrointestinal tract. METHODS: The Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES) Technology and Value Assessment Committee (TAVAC) performed a PubMed/Medline database search of clinical studies involving CLE in May of 2018. The literature search used combinations of the keywords: confocal laser endomicroscopy, pCLE, Cellvizio, in vivo microscopy, optical histology, advanced endoscopic imaging, and optical diagnosis. Bibliographies of key references were searched for relevant studies not covered by the PubMed search. Case reports and small case series were excluded. The manufacturer's website was also used to identify key references. The United States Food and Drug Administration (U.S. FDA) Manufacturer And User facility and Device Experience (MAUDE) database was searched for reports regarding the device malfunction or injuries. RESULTS: The technology offers an excellent safety profile with rare adverse events related to the use of fluorescent agents. It has been shown to increase the detection of dysplastic Barrett's esophagus, gastric intraepithelial neoplasia/early gastric cancer, and dysplasia associated with inflammatory bowel disease when compared to standard screening protocols. It also aids in the differentiation and classification of colorectal polyps, indeterminate biliary strictures, and pancreatic cystic lesions. CONCLUSIONS: CLE has an excellent safety profile. CLE can increase the diagnostic accuracy in a number of gastrointestinal pathologies.

Interventional radiology-assisted transgastric endoscopic drainage of peripancreatic fluid collections.

Summary: Peripancreatic fluid collections (PFCs) occur as a consequence of pancreatitis. Most PFCs resolve spontaneously, although 1%-2% persist and may require intervention. Conventional transluminal endoscopic drainage methods require the PFC to be bulging into the gastric wall; however, it is not uncommon for this to be absent. Imaging guidance for transluminal endoscopic PFC drainage allows the endoscopist to localize nonbulging pseudocysts that cannot be localized using endoscopy alone, to identify and avoid vascular structures between the cyst and the gastric lumen, and to reveal solid or necrotic components within the pseudocyst cavity. Although endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) has been used to meet this need, timely access to therapeutic EUS remains a limiting factor at many centres. We report our technique and experience performing transgastric endoscopic drainage of PFCs under computed tomography (CT) interventional radiology guidance.