Otoendoscopic characterisation of middle ear masses by the aid of narrow-band imaging: A preliminary report

Narrow-band imaging (NBI) is an optical technique that allows surgeons, when applied to endoscopy, to visualise the vascularisation of the framed structures. This tool adopts specific filters that can select blue and green light wavelengths; these are in turn reflected by epithelial tissues and absorbed by haemoglobin, ultimately highlighting the microvascular texture.1 For instance, superficial blood vessels appear dark blue, in contrast to the surrounding lighter mucosa. In the head and neck area, NBI is routinely used to examine the upper aerodigestive tract; for the larynx and nasopharynx, and more recently also for the oral cavity and the sinonasal region, a systematic description of the various patterns encountered has been given, with the ultimate goal to favour the discrimination between benign versus malignant lesions. Given very little is reported in the literature regarding its use in the exploration of middle ear lesions, we want to present our experience in this regard.