[Exfoliative gastric cytology -- quality control (author's transl)]

Results of exfoliative gastric cytology from two periods were compared (779 examinations in the first period, 598 in the second). In 85% of cytological examinations, a histologic diagnosis was available. 64% of histologically verified carcinoma were diagnosed by cytology, too. In the second period the percentage of false positive findings decreased from 4,7% to 1,1% and the rate of suspicious findings from 3,7% to 1,5%. The proportion of carcinomas not detected by cytology increased from 32% to 35%. The rate of correct diagnosis of two contributors remained constant (53% resp. 71%). Improvement of diagnostic accuracy depends upon better technique of yield of material by endoscopists.