SALVAGE CYTOLOGY - NEW ALTERNATIVE FIBEROPTIC TECHNIQUE

The fiberoptic gastrointestinal endoscope is often used to obtain directed biopsies of mucosal abnormalities. Although tissue biopsies and photography are regularly performed, cytology specimens are not always gathered, and the failure to do so must decrease overall diagnostic accuracy. We present a new technique by which cytology specimens are acquired by aspiration of the channel through which the biopsy forceps have been withdrawn. The method allows recovery of material that may have been clinging to the outside of the biopsy forceps and dislodged within the endoscope. The new technique is rapid and does not require the use of a cytology brush. The combination of forceps biopsy and salvage cytology yielded the correct diagnosis in patients with upper gastrointestinal cancer. © 1979, American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy. All rights reserved.