Computed tomography evaluation of esophageal carcinoma

Forty patients of histologically proven esophageal carcinoma were subjected to computed tomography (CT) with the objective to assess its reliability in preoperative evaluation of these patients. The findings were confirmed on surgery in twenty five of these patients, thought to be resectable. Bronchoscopy was performed to evaluate bronchial tree in cases of tumor of upper and middle third of esophagus. CT was found to be sensitive in predicting the location and size of tumor, in assessing invasion of tracheo-bronchial tree, spread to liver, celiac and left gastric nodes. However, it was not successful in picking up metastatic spread to local periesophageal nodes in five cases and celiac in one case. The study concluded CT should be carried out for preoperative evaluation of esophageal carcinoma to select operable cases and avoid unnecessary radicle surgery in advanced cases.