Narrow band imaging of nasopharynx to identify specific features for possible detection of early nasopharyngeal carcinoma.
BACKGROUND
Narrow band imaging (NBI) features of normal and early nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) have not been clearly described. The main purpose of this study was to define NBI features in the nasopharynx in the detection of early NPC.


METHODS
We conducted a prospective cohort study of 53 patients who underwent NBI endoscopy to describe its specific features.


RESULTS
Among 19 normal patients, common NBI features were discrete brown spots (100%) and regular polygonal follicular pattern of nasopharyngeal mucosa (90%). The features of 15 patients with NPC were loss of normal polygonal follicular architecture of nasopharynx (100%), concentrated brown spots (93%), and pale pink areas (80%). In the 19 post-NPC radiation patients, common features were patches of intense brown-green spots (100%), loss of polygonal follicular pattern of nasopharyngeal mucosa (95%), and discrete microvasculature branches (95%).


CONCLUSIONS
There are discernible NBI features between normal mucosa and an exophytic NPC mass. This can form the basis of a prospective screening program to detect early NPC using NBI.
Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, National University Health System, Singapore, China.
J
J
Madana
Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, National University Health System, Singapore, China.
Chwee Ming
CM
Lim
Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, National University Health System, Singapore, China.
Kwok Seng
KS
Loh
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D055088:Early Detection of Cancer; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007828:Laryngoscopy / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D062048:Narrow Band Imaging / Q000379:methods; D009303:Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D009305:Nasopharynx / Q000473:pathology*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D016896:Treatment Outcome
carcinoma; imaging; narrow-band; nasopharynx; screening