Objective: To evaluate the value of narrow band imaging (NBI) endoscopy in the diagnosis of nasopharyngeal lesions.
Methods: Between December 2009 and April 2010, a total of 124 patients with nasopharyngeal lesions were examined with electronic nasopharyngolaryngoscope equipped with the white light mode and NBI mode. The biopsies of nasopharyngeal lesions were done in all patients. The characteristics of morphologies of mucosa and mucosal superficial vessels of each lesion under NBI mode were evaluated.
Results: Of all cases, there were 1 of papilloma, 87 of lymphoid follicular hyperplasia and chronic inflammation, 11 of nasopharyngeal cysts, and 25 of nasopharyngeal carcinoma. According to the pathological results, the morphologies of nasopharyngeal lesions under NBI mode were quite different. The color depth of the mucosa could be divided into four types: light red (+), dark red (++), prunosus (+++), and blue or blue black (++++). Under NBI, the color depths were (+) in papilloma, (++) in nasopharyngeal cysts, and (+++) in lymphoid follicular hyperplasia and chronic inflammation, without abnormal vessels. The color depths were (+++)-(++++) in nasopharyngeal cancer, with abnormal vessels.
Conclusion: NBI has a potential ability to predict pathological results of nasopharyngeal lesions.