Narrow-Band Imaging in oncologic otorhinolaryngology: State of the art

ObjectivesTo describe the diagnostic performance of Narrow Band Imaging (NBI) combined with White Light Imaging (WLI) in the diagnosis of mucosal lesions at each location of the upper aerodigestive tract, for detection of primary tumor in case of carcinoma of unknown primary, for determination of intraoperative resection margins, and to describe its main diagnostic pitfalls.Material and methodsA PubMed search was carried out according to the PRISMA method.ResultsFour hundred and seventy-seven articles published between 2007 and 2020 were identified, 133 of which met the study inclusion criteria and were assessed.ConclusionThe current literature seems to support the use of NBI in diagnosis and/or follow-up of (pre-)malignant head & neck tumors, and in the determination of intraoperative resection margins.