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The confocal microscopy is an optical imaging technique that allows true optical biopsies and a three-dimensional visualization of tissue sections and cells. The analysis of the signal is done thanks to reflected light (reflectance confocal microscopy) or to the fluorescence emitted by tissues (fluorescence confocal microscopy). The use of confocal microscopy in the gynecological field is still experimental and is mainly about the ex vivo and in vivo diagnosis of cervical dysplasia and ovary cancer. The miniaturization of the probes could allow an endoscopic use for the diagnosis of endometrial or ovary cancers. We aim to present the principles of confocal microscopy and to expose the main ways of research and the future and potential clinical applications of this technique in gynecology.

Objective: To describe the professional impact of Internet for trainees and to assess the need for Internet classes., Material and Methods: A questionnaire was distributed to all trainees of the gynaecology-obstetrics program in Lille. We evaluated the use of Internet and its consequence on the professional life. The search engine Pubmed was especially studied as a representation of the professional use of the Internet. Trainees were classified in "young" (first 2 years) and "old" (last 3 years)., Results: The ability to obtain medical information online was strong as 98% of the participants reported using the Internet. However, more traditional tools such as manuals were used to find a medical information despite an early use of the Internet (mainly started in medical school). We did not find any differences between the two trainee groups in the use of Pubmed. Sixty-four percent of the young trainees were using Pubmed compared to 100% of their seniors (P<0,05). Old trainees were more frequently medium-levelled (50 versus 14%; P<0,05) whereas 57% young trainees were low-levelled. Old trainees were more familiar with the use of links to online publications (43 versus 11%; P<0,05). Eighty-five percent of the trainees experienced difficulties using the Internet or Pubmed., Conclusion: Access to the Internet increases rapidly among physicians and medical students. However, they may encounter difficulties using search engine online. Our data support the hypothesis that residents should learn how to use the Internet effectively for searching medical resources. We suggest to planning classes during the residency program.

Optical coherence tomography is one of the most important technological progress of the last ten years in the field of medical imaging. It is similar to ultrasound imaging except that it uses properties of light instead of ultrasound. Optical coherence tomography provides images of tissue structure, and at a cellular level, in situ, in real time, with much better spatial resolution than ultrasound and without removal of tissue (optical biopsy). Using optical coherence tomography in combination with catheters or endoscopes may enable the imaging of internal organs as the cervix, the uterine tissue and the ovary. The use of optical coherence tomography in the gynecological field is still experimental and is mainly about the in vitro and in vivo diagnosis of cervical dysplasia, cervical cancer, ovary cancer, endometrial cancer and endometriosis. We aim to present the principles of optical coherence tomography and to expose the main ways of research and the future and potential clinical applications of this technique in gynecology.