Use of endoscopy with narrow-band imaging system in evaluating oral leukoplakia.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to analyze the relationship between clinical features of oral leukoplakia using endoscopy with broadband white light, narrow-band imaging (NBI) illumination, and histopathology, and to discuss the clinical relevance of the NBI system.

METHODS: Clinicopathologic data of patients receiving biopsy or excision after endoscopic examination for leukoplakia from April 2009 to December 2010 were reviewed and analyzed statistically.

RESULTS: A total 154 patients, 130 men and 24 women (average age, 52.60 ± 10.86 years) were enrolled. The correlation between intraepithelium papillary capillary loop (IPCL) classification and stepwise increased severity of pathology (Pearson's r = .88, R(2) = 0.78) was significantly better than that of broadband white light images (p < .001).

CONCLUSIONS: Flexible endoscopy can enhance detailed inspection of oral cavity mucosa and can be a powerful tool for examining oral leukoplakia. The IPCL patterns shown by NBI system can be helpful in detecting oral leukoplakia with higher grade dysplasia or invasive carcinoma.