[Cytologic diagnosis of the upper gastrointestinal tract].

Three examples are given of new developments in applying cytological procedures in the diagnosis of gastro-intestinal tract disease. At first chinese results in early diagnosis of esophageal carcinoma are described. Then cytological diagnosis of pathological changes in the region of the Vater's ampulla are discussed. Finally trends of quantitative cytology are elaborated upon. We had the opportunity to examine cytological preparations from China, which had been collected in different regions with particularly high or low incidence of esophageal carcinoma. Preparations from regions with high incidence of carcinoma showed a sequence of lesions of esophageal cells starting from chronic esophagitis going over squamous cell hyperplasia and dysplasia of moderate and severe degree leading up to typical cancer cells. Cytological examination of cells collected in the region of Vater's ampulla by brushing technique may yield results demonstrating the presence of benign or malignant tumors. Cytological examinations of pancreatic juice collected after secretin stimulation may give hints in regard to the presence of pancreatitis or pancreatic carcinoma, and examination of bile collected endoscopically from the choledochus may allow diagnosis of cholangitis or primary bile duct tumors. Our own experiments in using quantitative gastroenterological cytodiagnostic procedures are described. They are based on single cell and continuous flow cytofluorometry of DNA in material collected during endoscopy by brushing technics from the stomach. The same material was examined with monochromatic UV microscopy, which allows electronic analysis with high resolving in power of absorption patterns of undyed cell nuclei.