title: The role of narrow band imaging in early detection of head and neck cancer.
abstract: Narrow band imaging (NBI) is a novel method of imaging that increases the diagnostic potential of conventional endoscopy. It highlights abnormalities in the superficial vasculature of mucosal lesions so that precancerous or cancerous lesions can be identified more easily. Initially developed for the gastrointestinal tract, and widely used in other branches of medicine, it is now being used for the assessment of patients with malignancy in the head and neck. We review current published papers relating to NBI and discuss its benefits for early detection of cancer of the head and neck.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Queen Alexandra Hospital, Portsmouth, Hampshire PO6 3LY, UK. neil.tan@gmail.com
authors.forename: Neil C-W
authors.initials: NC
authors.lastname: Tan
authors.forename: M Kerry
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Herd
authors.forename: Peter A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Brennan
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Puxeddu
mesh_terms: D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging / Q000379:methods; D055088:Early Detection of Cancer / Q000379:methods*; D004724:Endoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods; D011230:Precancerous Conditions / Q000175:diagnosis*