Can Narrowband Imaging Improve the Laparoscopic Identification of Superficial Endometriosis? A Prospective Cohort Trial.

Study Objective: To assess the usefulness of narrowband imaging (NBI) to detect additional areas of endometriosis not identified by standard white light in patients undergoing laparoscopy for the investigation of pelvic pain.

Design: A prospective cohort trial (Canadian Task Force classification II). Evidence obtained from a well-designed cohort study.

Setting: A tertiary laparoscopic subspecialty unit in Melbourne, Australia.

Patients: Fifty-seven patients undergoing laparoscopy for the investigation of pelvic pain were recruited. Fifty-three patients were eligible for analysis.

Interventions: Patients underwent standard white-light laparoscopy of the pelvis followed by NBI survey to assess for any additional areas suspicious for endometriosis.

Measurements And Main Results: All identified areas of possible endometriosis were resected and sent for blinded histopathological analysis. The additional predictive value of NBI was 0% if the preceding white-light survey was negative and 86% if the preceding white-light survey was positive.

Conclusion: The use of NBI at laparoscopy for the investigation of pelvic pain is beneficial in finding additional areas of endometriosis if endometriosis is already suspected after white-light survey in a tertiary laparoscopic unit. Further research in nonspecialized units may show additional benefit and requires further research. NBI may also be useful as a diagnostic aid for trainees.