The Multifaceted Role of Confocal Laser Endomicroscopy in Head and Neck Surgery: Oncologic and Functional Insights.

(1) Background: Confocal laser endomicroscopy (CLE) has emerged as a transformative tool in head and neck surgery, with applications spanning oncologic insights and functional evaluations. This study delves into CLE's potential in these domains. (2) Methods: We performed CLE in head and neck oncologic surgery, focusing on tumor margin identification and precise resection. We also employed CLE for functional assessment in allergic rhinitis, observing real-time mucosal changes during nasal provocation testing. (3) Results: In oncologic surgery, CLE enabled real-time visualization of tumor margins and cellular patterns, aiding resection decisions. In allergic rhinitis assessment, CLE captured dynamic morphological alterations upon allergen exposure, enhancing understanding of mucosal reactions. (4) Conclusions: The integration of CLE with evolving technologies such as deep learning and AI holds promise for enhanced diagnostic accuracy. This study underscores CLE's expansive potential, highlighting its role in guiding surgical choices and illuminating inflammatory processes in the head and neck.

Technical Note: First Use of Endonasal Confocal Laser Endomicroscopy - Feasibility and Proof of Concept

Abstract Introduction Probe-based confocal laser endomicroscopy (p-CLE) is a method for real-time in vivo visualization of mucosal changes on a cellular level. Due to the size of the endoscopes, it was mainly used in the gastrointestinal tract so far. First investigations on head and neck carcinoma described the oropharyngeal application. The further miniaturization of the laser probe now allows endonasal application and, thus, first experiences with the investigation of endonasal neoplasms. Objectives The aim of the present investigation is to elucidate, based on the morphological criteria validated in the oropharynx, whether these criteria be transferred in a similar way to the endonasal mucosa. Methods We conducted p-CLE (Cellvizio, Paris, France) with intravenous fluorescein staining in endoscopic sinus surgery in a patient with sinonasal inverted papilloma and a histologically confirmed squamous cell carcinoma. We compared the cellular visualization of pathological changes with those of healthy mucosa in the same specimen, and also with our former findings in the oropharynx. Results Endonasal p-CLE proved to be quite feasible in the surgical setting, and the transfer of malignancy criteria in analogy to histological examination could be optically retraced. Furthermore, additional criteria for tissue dignity assessment were obtained. Conclusion Our results suggest that endonasal application of p-CLE represents a valuable extension of the diagnostic repertoire available to date by an additional realtime analysis of the nasal mucosa. This is of particular value in surgically challenging anatomical areas such as the paranasal sinuses.

Technical Note: First Use of Endonasal Confocal Laser Endomicroscopy - Feasibility and Proof of Concept.

Introduction Probe-based confocal laser endomicroscopy (p-CLE) is a method for real-time in vivo visualization of mucosal changes on a cellular level. Due to the size of the endoscopes, it was mainly used in the gastrointestinal tract so far. First investigations on head and neck carcinoma described the oropharyngeal application. The further miniaturization of the laser probe now allows endonasal application and, thus, first experiences with the investigation of endonasal neoplasms. Objectives The aim of the present investigation is to elucidate, based on the morphological criteria validated in the oropharynx, whether these criteria be transferred in a similar way to the endonasal mucosa. Methods We conducted p-CLE (Cellvizio, Paris, France) with intravenous fluorescein staining in endoscopic sinus surgery in a patient with sinonasal inverted papilloma and a histologically confirmed squamous cell carcinoma. We compared the cellular visualization of pathological changes with those of healthy mucosa in the same specimen, and also with our former findings in the oropharynx. Results Endonasal p-CLE proved to be quite feasible in the surgical setting, and the transfer of malignancy criteria in analogy to histological examination could be optically retraced. Furthermore, additional criteria for tissue dignity assessment were obtained. Conclusion Our results suggest that endonasal application of p-CLE represents a valuable extension of the diagnostic repertoire available to date by an additional real-time analysis of the nasal mucosa. This is of particular value in surgically challenging anatomical areas such as the paranasal sinuses. Further investigation and validation will be necessary.

[Confocal laser endomicroscopy - first application and validation of malignancy criteria]. / Endonasale konfokale Laserendomikroskopie ­ erste Anwendung und Validierung von Malignitätskriterien.

OBJECTIVES: Confocal laser endomicroscopy (CLE) is a method for real-time in vivo visualization of mucosal changes on a cellular level. First investigations on head and neck carcinoma described the oropharyngeal application. The aim of this investigation is to elucidate, based on the criteria validated in the oropharynx, whether these can be transferred to endonasal mucosa. METHODS: CLE was performed with intravenous fluorescein staining in endoscopic sinus surgery in one patient with sinonasal inverted papilloma and another with squamous cell carcinoma. We compared cellular visualization of pathological changes to those of healthy mucosa in the same specimen as well to our former findings in the oropharynx. RESULTS: Endonasal CLE proved to be well feasible in the surgical setting and the transfer of malignancy criteria in analogy to histological examination could be optically retraced. Furthermore, additional criteria for tissue dignity assessment were obtained. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that endonasal CLE represents a valuable extension of the diagnostic repertoire available to date by an additional real-time analysis of nasal mucosa. This is of particular value in surgically challenging anatomical areas such as the paranasal sinuses. Further investigation and validation will be necessary.