| [ Summary ] |
The Narrow Band Imaging (NBI) system is a new illumination method for medical endoscopes in which the spectral bandwidth of the filtered light is narrowed. NBI, combined with magnified observation, clearly enhances epithelial microvascular patterns. Endoscopic diagnosis of gastrointestinal neoplasia based on microvascular patterns opens a new door for the early detection of cancer, especially neoplasia of the esophagus and the head and neck region. NBI makes it possible to identify early cancers in the head and neck region, which have been difficult to detect and to reduce unpleasant reactions such as chest pain and discomfort caused by lugol chromoendoscopy. |