A Rapid Cytological Screening as pre-Endoscopy Screening for Early Esophageal Squamous Cell Lesions: A Prospective Pilot Study from a Chinese Academic Center

Background: Cytological detection of early esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) remains challenging. Therefore, we introduced a rapid cytological screening method and evaluated its efficacy as a pre-endoscopy screening for early ESCC and precursor lesions. Methods: This method consisted of a sponge sample retrieval, automatic liquid-based cytological treatment and slides preparation, computer-assisted screening and manual diagnosis. Efficacy for detection of early ESCC and precursor lesions was evaluated. Also, diagnostic efficiency was compared with manual diagnosis. Results: Eighty-three patients with early ESCC and precursor lesions and 2,090 asymptomatic participants with high risks of ESCC were enrolled. Whole procedure was accomplished within two working days. Abnormal cells were detected in all 83 patients, and in 272 (13.01%) subjects among 2,090 asymptomatic participants. Early ESCC, high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia, low-grade intraepithelial neoplasia and reflux esophagitis and normal endoscopic findings were detected in 8, 13, 11, 187 and 53 participants with abnormal cells, respectively. The calculated sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value for detection of early ESCC and precursor lesions were 100%, 88.34%, 11.76%, and 100%, respectively. Compared with manual diagnosis, this method was accomplished in a shorter time duration (5.4 ± 0.45 min vs 320.2 ± 132.4 min, p < 0.001), a higher diagnostic accuracy (96.7% vs74.4%, p = 0.015) and a better inter-observer agreement (93.3% vs66.7%, K = 0.286, p < 0.001). Conclusions: Our study provides a promising methodology as pre-endoscopy screening for early ESCC and precursor lesions.