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World's Smallest Microscope Enhances Detection and Treatment of Gastrointestinal Conditions and Diseases

Physicians at Temple University Hospital now offer the use of an exciting new diagnostic tool for patients with gastrointestinal conditions. Temple is the only hospital in Philadelphia currently offering Cellvizio®, the world's smallest microscope.

Cellvizio® allows doctors to see the GI tract at a cellular level in real time as they are performing an endoscopy. This "live histology" gives clinicians a view unlike any other – allowing them to get a cell-by-cell look at the lining of the GI tract. The "live histology" can lead to improved detection and faster treatment of pre-cancerous conditions, Barrett's esophagus, and other digestive diseases.

Oleh Haluszka, MD, Chief of Temple's Section of Gastroenterology, has used Cellvizio® on several of his patients. "You're seeing something at a cellular level that otherwise you'd have to wait a week for histology and biopsies to get back," said Dr. Haluszka. He says right now the main applications for Cellvizio® at Temple are for Barrett's esophagus and for strictures in the bile duct and the pancreas, which, if ignored, can cause life-threatening complications. "This is something that could potentially help people avoid surgeries or maybe schedule a surgery earlier because it can help us detect something at an earlier stage," added Dr. Haluszka.

Doctors use Cellvizio® during the patient's endoscopic procedure. They thread the tiny microscope through a traditional endoscope like a catheter or biopsy forceps. The microstructure of the digestive tract appears in real time on a screen, allowing the doctor to immediately recognize both healthy and diseased tissue. Using Cellvizio® does not add a significant amount of time to a standard endoscopic exam.

Cellvizio® has the potential to be expanded at Temple and used for more applications than just gastroenterology. "It's just another example of Temple having the most advanced diagnostic technology that can improve the detection and treatment of disease," said Dr. Haluszka.

For more information about the Temple Digestive Disease Center or to schedule an appointment, call 215-707-9900.

Date Published: Monday, July 30, 2012

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