Confocal Laser Endomicroscopy

**Semantic type:** Diagnostic Procedure

**Definition:** An investigative technique that permits high-resolution assessment of the histology of an endoluminal surface at a cellular and sub-cellular level. The technique is based upon the principle of illuminating a tissue with a low-power laser and then detecting fluorescent light reflected from the tissue. The laser is focused at a specific depth and only light reflected back from that plane is refocused and able to pass through the pinhole confocal aperture, increasing spacial resolution.

**Synonyms:** - CLE