Cytosponge procedures produce fewer respiratory aerosols and droplets than esophagogastroduodenoscopies

Summary Esophagogastroduodenoscopies (EGD) are aerosol-generating procedures that may spread respiratory pathogens. We aim to investigate the production of airborne aerosols and droplets during Cytosponge procedures, which are being evaluated in large-scale research studies and National Health Service (NHS)implementation pilots to reduce endoscopy backlogs. We measured 18 Cytosponge and 37 EGD procedures using a particle counter (diameters = 0.3–25 μm), taking measurements 10 cm from the mouth. Two particle count analyses were performed: whole procedure and event-based. Direct comparison with duration-standardized EGD procedures shows that Cytosponge procedures produce 2.16× reduction (P