Abstract: Objective To investigate the diagnostic value of Lugol solution staining combined with narrow band imaging (NBI) for esophageal cancer and precancerous lesions. Methods From December 2013 to December 2014, 187 patients who were with suspicious esophageal lesions and stained with Lugol solution under endoscopy were selected as control group, while from January 2015 to June 2015, 124 patients who were with suspicious esophageal lesions and examined with Lugol solution staining and NBI under endoscopy were selected as observation group. The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy between the two groups were compared and analyzed. Results One hundred and four cases (75.0%) were found among observation group, which was higher than 93 cases (55.6%) among control group (χ2=12.07, P<0.01). The total detection rates of esophageal cancer and high grade intraepithelial neoplasia (HGN) were 29.0% and 17.7% in observation group respectively, which were higher than 18.2% and 6.4% in control group (χ2= 4.15, P=0.04; χ2=8.54, P<0.01). The Kappa value in observation group was 0.55, which was higher than 0.36 in control group. The sensitivity and accuracy in observation group were 89.9% and 82.3% respectively, which were significantly higher than 71.8% and 68.4% in control group (χ2=9.79, P<0.01; χ2=7.38, P<0.01). Conclusion The sensitivity and accuracy of endoscopic Lugol solution staining combined with NBI for esophageal cancer and precancerous lesions are higher than Lugol solution staining, and it is worthy to popularize the application of Lugol solution staining combined with NBI in diagnosing esophageal cancer and precancerous lesions.

Key words: Endoscopy, digestive system, Pathology, clinical, Esophageal neoplasms, Lugol solution staining