Cytologic detection of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and precursor lesions using balloon and sponge samplers in asymptomatic adults in Linxian, China

Abstract

In this study, the balloon sampler was more sensitive than the sponge sampler for detecting esophageal squamous disease, but both techniques were less than optimal. Improved samplers and/or cytologic criteria should increase the sensitivities observed in this baseline study.