Detection of early laryngeal cancer and its precursor lesions by a real-time autofluorescence imaging system.

The prognosis of laryngeal carcinoma patients can be improved by early diagnosis. The autofluorescence endoscopy has been developed to gain more information about the biologic character of the precancerous or cancerous lesions. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the diagnostic potential and limitations of this imaging technique applied during indirect laryngoscopy and comparing with white light and microlaryngoscopy with biopsy.