Microscopic Real-Time Technology to Locate Malignant Tumors

Sheba started to perform a new and advanced kind of endoscopic examination called "Cellvizio", which provides real-time images of pre-malignant/malignant changes in the cell tissue and also allows making navigated biopsies from these suspicious areas. This technology is based on a microscope located at the end of an optic fiber, which can be inserted into any standard endoscope used for gastroscopy, colonoscopy, or imaging of the bile duct or pancreas.

The examination takes no longer than 5-10 minutes and, at the same time, during routine endoscopy, the microscope generates high solution cell imaging - up to the size of a single cell. Application of this technology does not cause cell damage and has minimal and rare side effects.

This procedure provides an outstanding advantage through its ability to reach areas where tissue for standard pathological examination is very difficult (or almost impossible) to dissect, such as cysts in the pancreas or in stenosis of the bile duct. Furthermore, the ability to screen the tissue on microscopic level and at real-time, allows to make navigated biopsies from suspicious tissue areas like, for example, in Barrett's disease.

Endoscopic microscopy (performed in addition to other diagnostic routines) provides efficiency in discovery and diagnosis. Its results are received immediately at the end of the endoscopic examination. However, it's important to emphasize that the final diagnosis will be made after the rest of the routine examination results are received, as microscopy is done in addition and not instead of other routine examinations.