Esophagogram and CT vs endoscopic and surgical specimens in the diagnosis of esophageal carcinoma.
OBJECTIVE
Aim of our study was to assess the accuracy of diagnostic imaging in establishing site, morphology and size of the neoplasm comparing surgical specimens or endoscopic examination with esophagograms and CT in patients with esophageal cancer. CT accuracy in defining TNM staging was also evaluated.


METHODS
From 1993 to 2000 we examined 39 patients with esophageal cancer: 30 males (77%) and 9 females (23%), age range 41-85 years. All patients underwent esophagogram, digestive endoscopy, and chest and abdominal CT. In 22 patients who underwent surgery, we evaluated the correlation between diagnostic imaging and surgical specimens. Patients were divided into 3 groups on the basis of discrepancy between pathological and radiological measurements: =/<1 cm (considered as no discrepancy); 1 to 3 cm; > 3 cm.


RESULTS
Esophagogram identified neoplasm in 38 patients out of 39, while CT identified neoplasm in all patients. Location and morphology of the neoplasm established at endoscopy were confirmed in all patients. Lesion length measured at esophagogram corresponded to length of surgical specimens in 13 of the 22 surgically treated patients (59%). In this group there was a dominance of polypoid and stenotic tumor forms. In the remaining 9 cases there was a dominance of ulcerative tumor forms. CT measurement corresponded in 7 patients (32%) with a dominance of polypoid and stenotic tumor forms. T staging performed with CT corresponded to surgical specimens in 12 patients (54%, T3-T4). N staging correlated in 19 patients (86%). CT identified distant metastases in 6 patients (27%).


CONCLUSIONS
Our study proves a high sensitivity of esophagogram and CT in the diagnosis of esophageal carcinoma. Esophagogram presented a higher accuracy in establishing tumor length (59% of cases, as compared to CT 32%). Tumor morphology influenced the accuracy of the esophagogram, and highest accuracy was obtained in polypoid and stenotic tumors. T staging performed with CT corresponded to surgical specimens in advanced stages (T3-T4), while accuracy was poorer in smaller superficial lesions (T1-T2) due to the inability of CT to differentiate the layers of the esophageal wall. N understaging in 14% of cases did not modify surgical management. CT presented a high sensitivity in the identification of loco-regional lymph nodes and identified distant metastases in 6 patients. In conclusion, these techniques are accurate and non-invasive and their role in establishing the correct management is therefore important.
Drudi
F M
FM
Istituto di Radiologia, Università degli Studi di Roma La Sapienza, Policlinico Umberto I, Rome, Italy. FrancescoM.Drudi@uniromal.it
Trippa
F
F
Cascone
F
F
Righi
A
A
Iascone
C
C
Ricci
P
P
David
V
V
Passariello
R
R
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001466:Barium Sulfate; D001706:Biopsy; D003287:Contrast Media; D016099:Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
D003287:Contrast Media; D001466:Barium Sulfate