[Combination of narrow band imaging (NBI) and autofluorescence bronchoscopy (AFB) in the assessment of central lung cancer]

Abstract

Objective: To assess the diagnostic value of narrow-band imaging(NBI) in the diagnosis of central lung cancer.

Methods: Patients (n = 153) suspected of having lung cancer underwent white light bronchoscopy(WLB), NBI and autofluorescence bronchoscopy(AFB) in turn. At least 3 biopsies in each case were taken from sites visualized as lesions. The sensitivity and specificity of NBI, AFB and combination of NBI and AFB were compared.

Results: There were 106 male (69.3%) and 47 female patients (30.7%). By NBI, 91 and 62 cases were positive and negative respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of NBI were 63.5% (87/137) and 75.0% (12/16) respectively. By AFB, 140 and 13 cases were positive and negative respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of AFB were 94.2% (129/137) and 87.5% (5/16) respectively. By NBI combined with AFB, 133 and 20 cases were positive and negative respectively, the sensitivity and specificity being 95.6% (131/137) and 87.5% (14/16) respectively. The difference of specificity between NBI plus AFB and AFB alone was significant (P < 0.01), but the difference of sensitivity between NBI plus AFB and AFB alone(P > 0.05) was not. The difference of specificity between NBI plus AFB and NBI alone was significant (P < 0.01), but the P value of specificity between NBI plus AFB and NBI was 0.03.

Conclusion: Combination of NBI and AFB could increase the specificity of lung cancer diagnosis compared to AFB alone.