Classification of nasopharyngeal microvessels detected by narrow band imaging endoscopy and its role in the diagnosis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Approximately 93.5% (29/31) of lymphoid hyperplasia appeared as the type II microvessel pattern under NBI endoscopy, whereas 96.2% (51/53) of nasopharyngeal radiation-induced inflammation exhibited the type III or IV microvessel pattern. The characteristics of NPC under NBI endoscopy mainly appeared as a type V microvessel pattern (79.5%, 167/210), and the sensitivity, specificity, predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) of type V in the diagnosis of NPC were 79.5%, 91.3%, 96.0%, and 62.9%, respectively. NBI endoscopy could significantly improve the detection of superficial lesions (χ² = 12.789, p = .000).