[Use of esophageal cytology. Comparative study on the value of various methods (III)]

Several esophageal cytologic tecniques (sponge biopsy, sponge smear, and espohageal washings) were assessed and compared with endoscopy and biopsy of esophageal tumors. Esophageal cytology rendered better results than esophagoscopy or biopsy, with a 97% positivity in cases of esophageal carcinoma, when using sponge biopsy and sponge smear techniques, and of 91.4% for esophageal and gastric carcinoma of the fundus invading gastroesophageal junction, when considered together. The combination of sponge techniques was better for diagnosisng esophageal carcinoma than the application of esophageal washings, a more difficult, time consuming, and sometimes unfeasible method. However, the utilization of three mehtods enhanced the overall diagnostic possibilities in all cases of esophageal tumors when considered together.