The aim of the study is to discuss the role of NBI imaging in upper respiratory papillomatosis (RRP). In the available literature on the subject, as of 2009, there have been 117 publications on NBI imaging focusing on the diagnosis of the upper respiratory and digestive tract, especially the larynx. They discuss the following diagnostic and therapeutic problems: identifying an abnormal vascular pattern within the mucosa, differentiating benign and malignant lesions, assessing the nature of lesions under the leukoplakia plaque, pre-operative definition of laryngeal cancer margins, supporting laser procedures to obtain safe margins, postoperative monitoring after cancer treatment, detecting second simultaneous and metachronic neoplasms and primary tumors in the case of metastases from an unknown primary site. Few reports have been devoted to the assessment of the extent and recurrence of RRP. Due to its recurrent nature, this pathology deserves special attention as it requires multiple inspections and manipulation within the larynx. It also applies to the pediatric population, where there should be no margin for underestimating or overestimating changes, because any suspicion of recurrence results in subsequent general anesthesia. Hence the attempt to define an unambiguous picture of RRP recurrence and the criteria for referring for subsequent surgical treatment.
Keywords: Narrow Band Imaging; endoscopy; larynx; recurrent respiratory papillomatosis.