Narrow Band Imaging and White Light Colonoscopy for Detection of Polyps

Han, Seok Jae; Kim, Eun Young; Park, Jae Bum; Cheon, Jong Woon; Kim, Ka Young; Shin, Young Kook; Oh, Jang Seok; Kim, Byung Seok; Han, Jimin; Jung, Jin Tae; Kwon, Joong Goo; Lee, Chang Hyeong; Kim, Ho Gak

Abstract

BACKGROUND/AIMS
Narrow band imaging (NBI) is a new technique that is expected to improve the detection rate of colorectal polyps, but results have been inconsistent. The aim of this study was to compare the polyp miss rate and the characteristics of missed colorectal polyps using white light (WL) and NBI.
METHODS
62 patients were randomized into two groups. In the first group (NBI first, NBIF), a colonoscopic examination of each segment (cecum-ascending, transverse, descending, and rectosigmoid colons) was performed first with NBI followed by a re-examination of the same segment using WL. An opposite sequence was applied for the other group (white light first, WLF).
RESULTS
67 polyps were found in the first examination, and 31 polyps were found on the re-examination, resulting in a polyp miss rate of 31.6%. The polyp miss rate was 39% for WLF and 23% for NBIF (p>0.05). Seventy-four small polyps (<5 mm) were found, and miss rates for NBIF and WLF were 20% and 46%, respectively (p=0.01). The polyp miss rate at the rectosigmoid was 11% for NBIF and 54% for WLF (p=0.01).
CONCLUSIONS
The polyp miss rate was not significantly different between NBI or WL when a colonoscopy was performed. NBI resulted in a lower polyp miss rate for small (<5 mm) and rectosigmoid polyps than WL.