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Correspondence to Author:  Hideo Niwa¹, Satoshi Horihata ² 

1. Department of Neurosurgery/Head and Neck Surgery, Nihon University School of Dentistry at Matsudo, 2-870- 1 Sakae-cho Nishi, Matsudo, Chiba 271-8587, Japan
2. Department of Mathematical Science, Nihon University School of Dentistry at Matsudo, 2-870-1 Sakae-cho Nishi Matsudo, Chiba 271-8587, Japan

DOI: 10.52338/wjogy.2024.4244

Abstract:

Objectives: Laryngopharyngeal reflux disease (LPRD) can be challenging to diagnose due to its variable and non-specific symptoms, often leading to multiple doctor visits and delayed diagnosis. While conventional methods like flexible fiberscope examination are commonly used, they may lack the specificity needed to accurately identify LPRD.
Study design: Narrow band imaging (NBI), a technique that enhances visualization of submucosal capillaries, could offer a more reliable diagnostic tool. This study explores the potential of NBI for detecting LPRD by examining the correlation between nasopharyngeal capillary patterns and the Frequency Score of the Symptoms of GERD (FSSG) questionnaire. A total of 170 patients from the Nihon University Matsudo Dental Hospital between 2016 and 2023 were studied.
Methods: All patients underwent NBI to assess their nasopharyngeal capillary pattern, which was categorized as occupying more than 50%, less than 50%, or absent in the nasopharynx. Additionally, the patients completed the 14-question FSSG questionnaire to evaluate gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and related symptoms. The correlation between the NBI findings and the FSSG results were statistically analyzed using correlation coefficients.
Results: The NBI results showed that 63.5% of patients had more than 50% nasopharyngeal capillary pattern, 30% had less than 50%, and 6.5% had no capillary pattern. There was a significant correlation between the NBI score and FSSG question 7, indicating that enhanced nasopharyngeal capillaries are associated with greater symptom severity. Most patients experienced symptom improvement within 1-3 months of treatment with rabeprazole sodium.
Conclusion: Taken together, the NBI shows promise as a diagnostic tool for LPRD. NBI can visualize distinctive patterns in the nasopharyngeal capillaries that correlate with specific symptoms identified through the FSSG questionnaire. The findings highlight NBI’s potential to improve the accuracy of LPRD diagnosis, and suggest the FSSG questionnaire, particularly question 7, may be a useful supplementary screening tool for LPRD patients.

Citation:

Hideo Niwa. Applicability of Narrow Band Image (NBI) to diagnose Laryngopharyngeal reflux disease (LPRD). World Journal of Otolaryngology 2024.