Value of computed tomography in preoperative evaluation of resectability and staging in oesophageal carcinoma.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate computed tomography (CT) as a method of staging patients with oesophageal carcinoma.


METHODS
Retrospective study.


METHODS
Ullevaal Hospital, Oslo, Norway.


METHODS
85 patients who presented with oesophageal carcinoma between February 1982 and December 1989.


METHODS
Assessment by CT was made in all patients.


METHODS
Correlation with findings at operation, and histological examination of operative specimens.


RESULTS
From the findings at operation in the 46 patients who were operated on (resection, n = 39; exploration only, n = 7) the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of CT staging of the growth were 80%, 91%, and 88%, and when histological confirmation of infiltration was taken into consideration the figures were 25%, 84%, and 54%, respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of CT detection of lymph node metastases were 22%, 95%, and 55%.


CONCLUSIONS
Staging of oesophageal cancer with CT before operation is useful in judging resectability, but the smaller tumours should be assessed with caution. CT is unreliable in the diagnosis of the depth of infiltration and the presence of lymph node metastases compared with histological examination.
Department of Surgery, Ullevaal Hospital, University of Oslo, Norway.
K
K
Søndenaa
P
P
Skaane
K
K
Nygaard
A
A
Skjennald
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D000368:Aged; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging / Q000379:methods*; D011300:Preoperative Care; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed