Narrow-band imaging for detecting early recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma.
BACKGROUND
Detection of early recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is clinically challenging. Narrow-band imaging (NBI) is powerful in detecting early superficial lesions in the head and neck, although the utility of NBI in detecting nasopharyngeal cancer is still unknown.


RESULTS
We describe a case of a 51-year-old man with early recurrent NPC detected in subclinical stage by NBI coupled with conventional endoscopy. MRI revealed no obvious bulging or inward invasion over the nasopharynx. Because of superficial, localized recurrence, we performed laser nasopharyngectomy and his postoperation course was uneventful.


CONCLUSIONS
We demonstrated that postirradiated NPC in a patient with early recurrence was successfully detected by NBI coupled with conventional endoscopy. NBI endoscopy is a simple, convenient, and reliable tool, and adds additional value to detect local recurrence in the early phase. It may serve as an ideal tool in posttreatment surveillance in a patient with NPC.
Lin
Yen-Chun
YC
Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Chiayi and the Graduate Institute of Clinical Medical Sciences, Chang Gung University, College of Medicine, Pu-Tzu City, Chiayi County, Taiwan.
Wang
Wen-Hung
WH
D002277:Carcinoma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy; D004724:Endoscopy / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D000077274:Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma; D009303:Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy; D009305:Nasopharynx / Q000473:pathology; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000175:diagnosis*