Narrow-band vs. standard light (1 of 2)
Close view of abducted cords, standard light.

Narrow-band vs. standard light (2 of 2)
Same view, but under narrow-band light. Note how the blood vessels are much easier to see. In addition, the right vocal cord (left of image) manifests a small, whitish area of submucosal fibrosis (not true leukoplakia).

Narrow-band vs. standard light: leukoplakia (1 of 2)
With standard light, the leukoplakia on the right vocal cord (left of image) is visible but indistinct, as a hazy, whitish patch.

Narrow-band vs. standard light: leukoplakia (2 of 2)
With narrow-band light, not only the network of blood vessels but also the hazy leukoplakia is much more apparent.

Narrow-band vs. standard light: leukoplakia (1 of 2)
Diffuse leukoplakia on both vocal cords, as seen under standard light.

Narrow-band vs. standard light: leukoplakia (2 of 2)
Closer view, using narrow-band illumination. The leukoplakia is accentuated, but punctate vascular markings are also accentuated. We sometimes call this “HPV effect,” though in fact this man’s HPV subtyping was negative.

Narrow-band vs. standard light: capillary ectasia (1 of 2)
Standard light reveals dilated capillaries, especially on the left vocal cord (right of image), as well as bilateral vocal nodules.

Narrow-band vs. standard light: capillary ectasia (2 of 2)
Narrow-band light makes the dilated capillaries stand out more clearly.

Narrow-band vs. standard light: HPV-induced lesions (1 of 2)
Standard light reveals a faint stippled vascularity and a general mild inflammatory response (pinkness), indicative of HPV infection. Patients like this are often misdiagnosed with acid reflux.

Narrow-band vs. standard light: HPV-induced lesions (2 of 2)
Narrow-band light makes the stippled vascularity of this patient's HPV-induced lesions much more apparent.

Narrow-band vs. standard light: candida (1 of 2)
Under standard light, the candida colonies on this patient's vocal cords (best seen on the right cord, which is left of image) appear vague and hazy.

Narrow-band vs. standard light: candida (2 of 2)
Under narrow-band light, the candida colonies (as well as the vocal cords' vascularity) are much easier to see.