Utility of narrowband imaging in the diagnosis of laryngeal leukoplakia: Systematic review and meta-analysis

This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluates the validity of narrowband imaging (NBI) in differentiating between low-risk leukoplakia and high-risk leukoplakia. Medline, EMBASE, Scopus, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews and Database of s of Reviews of Effects were searched. Studies evaluating the diagnostic accuracy of NBI in the assessment of laryngeal leukoplakia were included. Pooled sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic odds ratio were calculated. Seven studies met the inclusion criteria assessing a total of 586 lesions with laryngeal leukoplakia. In differentiating between low-risk and high-risk leukoplakia, NBI had a pooled sensitivity and specificity of 85.4% (95% CI [76-99.9]) and 94.9% (95% CI [91.1-97.2]) respectively. Pooled diagnostic odds ratio was 99.2 (95% CI [38.28-257.18]). NBI is a useful imaging modality in differentiating between low-risk leukoplakia and high-risk laryngeal leukoplakia. The high sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic odds ratio make NBI a useful tool in the workup of laryngeal leukoplakia.