All endoscopists who have to do with esophagoscopy and the problems of obtaining suitable material, either for biopsy or for cytological study, know all too well that there are occasional cases in which the obtaining of such material presents difficulties little appreciated by those operating in more open fields. As an aid in obtaining material when biopsy is too dangerous, when the area for biopsy cannot be well visualized, or when only material for cytological study can be obtained, the esophageal curette is presented (Fig. 1).
The instrument to be described fulfills, at least in part, these needs. It is presented to the bronchoesophagologists, and to them alone, as it is an instrument which requires long endoscopic experience to operate safely. The successful use of this instrument should promote closer team-work between the thoracic surgeons and the bronchoesophagologists.
INSTRUMENT
The instrument consists of a handle 80 cm. in length, with