Anna Nogués-Sabaté1,2, Francesc Xavier Aviles-Jurado1,2,3,4, Laura Ruiz-Sevilla4, Eduardo Lehrer1,4, Alfonso Santamaría-Gadea1, Meritxell Valls-Mateus5, Isabel Vilaseca6,7,8,9. 1. Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Hospital Clínic, Villarroel 170, 08036, Barcelona, Catalunya, Spain. 2. Head Neck Clínic, Agència de Gestió d'Ajuts Universitaris i de Recerca (AGAUR), 2017 SGR 1581, Barcelona, Catalunya, Spain. 3. Ear, Nose and Throat Surgical Oncology Section, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Catalunya, Spain. 4. Faculty of Medicine, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalunya, Spain. 5. Department of Otolaryngology, Hospital Comarcal d'Inca, Inca, Illes Balears, Spain. 6. Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Hospital Clínic, Villarroel 170, 08036, Barcelona, Catalunya, Spain. ivila@clinic.ub.es. 7. Head Neck Clínic, Agència de Gestió d'Ajuts Universitaris i de Recerca (AGAUR), 2017 SGR 1581, Barcelona, Catalunya, Spain. ivila@clinic.ub.es. 8. Ear, Nose and Throat Surgical Oncology Section, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Catalunya, Spain. ivila@clinic.ub.es. 9. Faculty of Medicine, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalunya, Spain. ivila@clinic.ub.es.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Narrow band imaging (NBI) in combination with white light endoscopy (WLE) has improved the accuracy for the diagnosis and follow-up of head and neck carcinomas by identifying changes in the vascular patterns of the mucosa. However, NBI evaluation is explorer-dependent and may be influenced by the learning curve. The aim of this study is to assess the intra and interobserver agreement of NBI and WLE at the office, under local anaesthesia, by either experienced or non-experienced observers. METHODS: Eighty-seven images of head and neck lesions were routinely collected under WLE and NBI. A group of three experienced otolaryngologists and three medical students assessed the images after a brief training. No additional patient information was provided. The same protocol was repeated after three weeks. Intra and interobserver agreement were calculated with the kappa index. RESULTS: NBI intraobserver agreement was substantial (κ = 0.62) and better than with WLE alone, which was moderate (κ = 0.57) in both groups. Interobserver agreement was moderate with WLE (κ = 0.58) and substantial with NBI (κ = 0.63). Both groups improved intraobserver and interobserver agreement with the implementation of NBI. CONCLUSIONS: Intra and interobserver agreement with NBI for the evaluation of head and neck lesions are substantial, and improve the results of WLE alone in both, professionals and trainees.
BACKGROUND: Narrow band imaging (NBI) in combination with white light endoscopy (WLE) has improved the accuracy for the diagnosis and follow-up of head and neck carcinomas by identifying changes in the vascular patterns of the mucosa. However, NBI evaluation is explorer-dependent and may be influenced by the learning curve. The aim of this study is to assess the intra and interobserver agreement of NBI and WLE at the office, under local anaesthesia, by either experienced or non-experienced observers. METHODS: Eighty-seven images of head and neck lesions were routinely collected under WLE and NBI. A group of three experienced otolaryngologists and three medical students assessed the images after a brief training. No additional patient information was provided. The same protocol was repeated after three weeks. Intra and interobserver agreement were calculated with the kappa index. RESULTS: NBI intraobserver agreement was substantial (κ = 0.62) and better than with WLE alone, which was moderate (κ = 0.57) in both groups. Interobserver agreement was moderate with WLE (κ = 0.58) and substantial with NBI (κ = 0.63). Both groups improved intraobserver and interobserver agreement with the implementation of NBI. CONCLUSIONS: Intra and interobserver agreement with NBI for the evaluation of head and neck lesions are substantial, and improve the results of WLE alone in both, professionals and trainees.
Entities:
Keywords:
Consistency; Head and neck cancer; Interobserver agreement; Intraobserver agreement; Kappa; Narrow band imaging
Authors: Francesco Missale; Stefano Taboni; Cesare Piazza; Giorgio Peretti; Andrea Luigi Camillo Carobbio; Francesco Mazzola; Giulia Berretti; Andrea Iandelli; Marco Fragale; Francesco Mora; Alberto Paderno; Francesca Del Bon; Giampiero Parrinello; Alberto Deganello Journal: Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol Date: 2021-03-12 Impact factor: 2.503