Twelve minimal lesions were found over a period of 18 months at the Istituto Nazionale Tumori of Milan at the end of the radiologic, endoscopic and histologic procedures. Eleven lesions were radiologically detected, and a radiologic diagnosis of malignancy was perspectively made in 10 of the identified lesions. The radiologic aspects of minimal lesions are described. Double contrast study of the esophagus allows excellent mucosal detail and good reproduction of lesions. Simplicity and minimal discomfort for the patient justify it as a first diagnostic step for detection of neoplastic pathology.
Clinical staging system for carcinoma of the esophagus. CA (New York)25 (1975), 50.
2.
GrazianiL.BearziI.RomagnoliA.PesaresiA.MontesiA.: Significance of diffuse granularity and nodularity of the esophageal mucosa at double-contrast radiography. Gastrointest. Radiol.10 (1985), 1.
JessenK.PaolucciP.ClassenM.: Endoscopic vital staining of the oesophagus in high-risk patients. Detection of dysplasia and early carcinoma. In: Precancerous lesions of the gastrointestinal tract, p. 65. Edited by SherlockP.MorsonB. C.BarbaraL.VeronesiU.. Raven Press, New York1983.
5.
KoehlerR. E.MossA. A.MargulisA. R.: Early radiographic manifestation of carcinoma of the esophagus. Radiology119 (1976), 1.
6.
MossA. A.KoehlerR. E.MargulisA. R.: Initial accuracy of esophagograms in detection of small esophageal carcinoma. Amer. J. Roentgenol.127 (1976), 909.
7.
NabeyaK.TakigaweT.RiS.: Early esophageal cancer. Definition, patholoy, present status and prognosis. Stomach Intest.11 (1976), 285.
8.
RossettiG.: Radiologia a doppio contrasto dell'esofago. (In Italian.) Piccin Nuova Libreria, Padova1985.
9.
SilverbergE.HollebAl.: Major trends in cancer: 25 year survey. CA (New York)25 (1975), 2.
10.
ZornozaJ.LindellM. M.Jr: Radiologic evaluation of small esophageal carcinoma. Gastrointest. Radiol.5 (1980), 107.
