Early esophageal carcinoma

Abstract

Purpose: the aim of this study was to assess the depth of invasion of early esophageal carcinoma (EEC) by means of double-contrast esophagography

Material and Methods: the radiological findings of 46 EECs were retrospectively analyzed for the following factors that might be related to the depth of invasion: in depressed lesions (n=30): maximum size, surface appearance, sharpness of contour, and wall rigidity; and in elevated lesions (n=16): maximum size, height, shape, and wall rigidity. All lesions were surgically or endoscopically resected and the radiological findings were compared with the histological appearance

Results: in depressed lesions, the size of the surface granules correlated very strongly with the depth of invasion (r_s=0.8147). in both depressed and elevated lesions, wall rigidity correlated strongly with the depth of invasion (r_s=0.7540 and r_s=0.6702 respectively). in depressed lesions, sharpness of contour also correlated strongly with the depth of invasion (r_s=0.6731). the other factors did not correlate with the depth of invasion

Conclusion: Double-contrast esophagography could provide useful information for assessing the depth of invasion of EECs