Effectiveness of narrow band imaging in the detection of premalignant and malignant lesions of the larynx: validation of a new endoscopic clinical classification.

Background: The purpose of this study was to assess the value of narrow band imaging (NBI) endoscopy in the diagnosis of pharyngolaryngeal lesions and to demonstrate the validity of a new NBI-based classification of their vascular pattern.

Methods: From 2009 to 2011, 248 patients with pharyngolaryngeal lesions underwent NBI-endoscopic evaluation. NBI findings were classified into 5 types according to the Ni classification and were compared with histopathological reports.