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Confocal Laser Endomicroscopy (CLE) in Patients With Diarrhea

Completed
Conditions
Diarrhea
Interventions
Procedure: Colonoscopy
Procedure: Confocal Laser Endomicroscopy
Registration Number
NCT01072110
Lead Sponsor
University of Erlangen-Nürnberg Medical School
Brief Summary

The main objective of this study is to determine the frequency of different gastrointestinal disorders as the cause of diarrhea in patients at a tertiary referral center using confocal laser endomicroscopy.

Detailed Description

Background:

Diarrhea is characterized by frequent, loose, and watery bowel movements. Common causes include various gastrointestinal infections (e.g. clostridium difficile, salmonella), inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis, Crohn´s disease), drugs (e.g. antibiotics) and malabsorption syndromes (e.g. celiac and Whipple's disease). Confocal laser endomicroscopy (CLE) is rapidly emerging as a valuable tool for gastrointestinal endoscopic imaging, enabling the endoscopist to obtain an "optical biopsy" of the gastrointestinal mucosa during the endoscopic procedure.

Scope:

In patients with diarrhea.

Methods:

Patients were randomized in two groups. Group 1: Patients underwent standard video colonoscopy for the evaluation of their symptoms. Group 2: During the endoscopic procedure CLE will be performed additionally.

Procedure:

The patient underwent colonoscopy. In Group 2 patients´ will receive intravenous fluorescein or topical mucosal staining with acriflavin or cresyl violet during the procedure, followed by in-vivo CLE of the tissue. Confocal images are digitally saved and analyzed afterwards.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
200
Inclusion Criteria
  • Written informed consent
  • Age 18-85 years
  • Ability of subjects to understand character and individual consequences of clinical trial
  • Subjects undergoing colonoscopy
Exclusion Criteria
  • Inability to provide written informed consent
  • Severe Coagulopathy (Prothrombin time < 50% of control, Partial thromboplastin time > 50 s)
  • Impaired renal function (Creatinine > 1.2 mg/dl)
  • Pregnancy or breast feeding
  • Active gastrointestinal bleeding
  • Known allergy to fluorescein, acriflavin or cresyl violet
  • Residing in institutions (e.g. prison)

Study & Design

Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Study Design
Not specified
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Group 1: Patients with diarrhea undergoing endoscopyColonoscopyStandard video colonoscope.
Group 2: Patients with diarrhea undergoing endoscopy.Confocal Laser EndomicroscopyConfocal laser endomicroscopy (CLE).
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
To determine the frequency of different gastrointestinal disorders as the cause of diarrhea in patients at a tertiary referral center using confocal laser endomicroscopy.February 2012
Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
To investigate whether CLE has a higher sensitivity and specificity than standard colonoscopy in the diagnosis of the cause of diarrhea.February 2012
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