title: Diffusion-weighted imaging and diffusion-weighted whole-body imaging with background body signal suppression for characterizing esophageal cancer: a case report.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Information on the extent or structure of esophageal cancer (ESC) is necessary for identifying whether the carcinoma is localized or resectable. Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and diffusion-weighted whole-body imaging with background body signal suppression (DWIBS) are useful for this purpose.
  
  
  METHODS
  One case of ESC with dysphagia presented at our hospital. Endoscopic examination revealed an elevated lesion with an ulcer, and stenosis was detected. DWI showed a high-intensity signal extending from the proximal to the distal ends of the carcinoma and extending to the tunica adventitia. A strong signal was also observed using (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET). DWIBS clearly revealed ESC, and these findings, along with those from DWI, suggested that our case had stage-T3 ESC. FDG-PET did not reveal the detailed structure of the ESC. DWIBS, on the other hand, showed that the signal extended to the tunica adventitia and the lumen of the esophagus.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings suggest that DWI and DWIBS are useful for the detection and assessment of ESC.
authors: Department of Gastroenterology, National Hospital Organization Shimoshizu Hospital, Yotsukaido City, Japan.
authors: Minoru
authors: M
authors: Tomizawa
authors: Fuminobu
authors: F
authors: Shinozaki
authors: Aika
authors: A
authors: Ozaki
authors: Akira
authors: A
authors: Baba
authors: Yoshiya
authors: Y
authors: Fukamizu
authors: Futoshi
authors: F
authors: Matsunaga
authors: Takao
authors: T
authors: Sugiyama
authors: Shigenori
authors: S
authors: Yamamoto
authors: Makoto
authors: M
authors: Sueishi
authors: Takanobu
authors: T
authors: Yoshida
keywords: computed tomography; cross section; endoscopy; positron emission tomography; squamous cell carcinoma