Abstract
The combination of the nasopharyngoscope“VNL-1590STi” (HOYA Corporation, PENTAX, Tokyo, Japan) and the processor“EPKi”generates high-definition images which have not been possible previously in the head and neck region. The EPKi processes images with image-enhanced technology known as“i-scan”. I-scan has three modes of image enhancement. One of them, tone enhancement called i-scan TE, that changes the tone curve of the combination of RGB components, is quite effective mode to enhance irregular mucosal lesion. The aim of this study is to find out the effectiveness of the VNL-1590STi with i-scan and Lugol's chromoendoscopy to determine surgical margin in transoral resection of oropharyngeal and hypopharyngeal cancers.
We used the VNL-1590STi with i-scan and chromoendoscopy during operations and determined the surgical margins. After each operation, we checked the margins of resected specimens pathologically.
In all cases, abnormal mucosal patterns were detected clearly with the VNL-1590STi and i-scan TE and chromoendoscopy. Reviews of resected specimens shown that with all patients the lesions including carcinoma in situ had been resected.
The VNL-1590STi with i-scan and chromoendoscopy is concluded to be effective for more precise resection in transoral resection of oropharyngeal and hypopharyngeal cancers. I-scan TE may lead to improvement of the accuracy of detection for early mucosal lesions.
