Intraoperative optical imaging and tissue interrogation during urologic surgery.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW To review optical imaging technologies in urologic surgery aimed to facilitate intraoperative imaging and tissue interrogation. RECENT FINDINGS Emerging new optical imaging technologies can be integrated in the operating room environment during minimally invasive and open surgery. These technologies include macroscopic fluorescence imaging that provides contrast enhancement between normal and diseased tissue and microscopic imaging that provides tissue characterization. SUMMARY Optical imaging technologies that have reached the clinical arena in urologic surgery were reviewed, including photodynamic diagnosis, near infrared fluorescence imaging, optical coherence tomography, and confocal laser endomicroscopy.