CT evaluation after esophagogastrectomy

The computed tomographic (CT) scans and barium esophagrams of 25 patients who had undergone esophagogastrectomy were reviewed to assess the utility of CT in the postoperative evaluation of these patients. CT provided information not provided by esophagography in 13 cases; in nine of these 13 cases, the CT scan was instrumental in directing patient management. One anastomotic leak not detected by esophagography was demonstrated by CT. In two patients, esophagography demonstrated mucosal recurrence at the esophagogastric anastomosis which was not shown by CT. Data indicate that CT is a useful method for detecting postoperative complications and extramucosal recurrent disease in this group of patients. Knowledge of the expected postesophagogastrectomy CT appearance is essential for the proper interpretation of postoperative scans.