Comparative evaluation of the diagnostic value of biopsy and NBI endoscopy in patients with cancer of the hypopharynx and larynx.

Introduction: Novel endoscopic technique - Narrow Band Imaging (NBI) seems to be a promising method for an early detection of neoplastic lesions of the upper aerodigestive tract. Compared to white light endoscopy, NBI improves the visualisation of the mucosal and submucosal microvascular patterns of observed pathologies. The aim of the study was to evaluate the diagnostic value of biopsy and NBI in patients with cancer of the larynx and hypopharynx.

Material And Methods: The study was conducted in 100 adult subjects hospitalized in the Clinic of Otolaryngology, Laryngological Oncology, Audiology and Phoniatrics of Military Medical Academy University Teaching Hospital in Lodz, who were planned for surgical procedures for excision or surgical biopsy of pathological lesions of the hypopharynx or larynx. The following examinations were performed: subjective and objective, otorhinolaryngological, NBI endoscopy and histopathological assessment of suspicious lesions. The microvascular pattern of observed lesions was assessed according to the Ni scale criteria. The next stage of the study was to compare the endoscopic examination results (type of vascular pattern according to the Ni scale) with the histopathological result. The obtained results were subjected to statistical analysis.

Results: The sensitivity of NBI endoscopy in detection of malignant neoplasms in patients with hypopharynx and larynx lesions is 90.48%, specificity - 91.14%, positive predictive value - 73.08%, negative predictive value - 97.30%. C onclusions: NBI endoscopy is a modern imaging method, increasing the diagnostic potential of endoscopy in the early detection of malignant lesions within the hypopharynx and larynx.