Narrow band imaging with near-focus mode for colorectal polyps' characterization

Conventional white light endoscopy is far from being an ideal tool to detect, characterize, and confirm the nature of colorectal lesions in order to indicate targeted biopsies or polyp resections only when necessary. Minimally invasive imaging techniques have gradually emerged to reveal previously unseen abnormalities to the operator during endoscopic examination. In this respect, technology and applications of narrow band imaging (NBI) are rapidly evolving. Magnification using NBI with near-focus mode has been introduced recently to enable closer examination under the control of a single button. The aim of this article is to offer an in-depth overview of this topic with emphasis on colorectal polyps through a literature review by using PubMed search tools including full-text articles, up-to-date guidelines and recent abstracts with obvious conclusions.