How the 'sponge on a string' diagnostic test for Barrett's oesophagus works

1 The cytosponge is a small pill on a string containing a sponge

Pill containing

sponge

Expanded sponge

2 The pill is swallowed and when it reaches the stomach the coating disolves and the sponge expands

String

Oesophagus

Stomach

3 When the sponge is pulled back up it collects some cells lining the oesophagus. The sponge is sent off to the lab for analysis

String

Sponge

collects

cell sample

1 The cytosponge is a small pill on a string containing a sponge

2 The pill is swallowed and when it reaches the stomach the coating disolves and the sponge expands

3 When the sponge is pulled back up it collects some cells lining the oesophagus. The sponge is sent off to the lab for analysis

String

Pill containing

sponge

Sponge

collects

cell sample

String

Oesophagus

Stomach

Expanded sponge