The esophageal-pleural stripe: an update

Area of Science:

• Thoracic imaging
• Radiology
• Anatomy

Background:

• The esophageal-pleural stripe is an important radiologic finding.
• Understanding the anatomical relationship between the esophagus and trachea is crucial for accurate interpretation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the utility of computed tomography (CT) in visualizing the esophageal-pleural stripe.
• To describe the variable anatomical relationship between the esophagus and trachea.

Main Methods:

• Computed tomography (CT) was utilized to amplify observations of the esophageal-pleural stripe.
• Anatomical relationships were assessed.

Main Results:

• The esophagus and trachea can be positioned side-by-side, with the esophagus to the left.
• An air-filled esophagus may resemble mediastinal emphysema or tracheomegaly on CT.
• A barium-filled esophagus may mimic mediastinal tumor displacement.

Conclusions:

• Computed tomography provides enhanced visualization of the esophageal-pleural stripe.
• The variable positioning of the esophagus relative to the trachea can lead to misinterpretations.
• Awareness of these anatomical variations is essential for accurate thoracic imaging diagnosis.