Clinical application of imagery in diagnosis of esophageal neoplasm

Objective: To evaluate the spiral CT in the diagnosis of esophageal neoplasm by comparing it with conventional CT and barium meal examination. Method: Spiral CT contrast enhancement scanning and image processing with MPR and CTVE were performed in 15 cases. A comparison was made between the images of spiral CT and the ones of conventional CT and the images of barium meal examination. Results: 1) On axial images with spiral CT, all lesions of 15 patients showed almost the same pictures as seen with conventional CT. Images clearly showed the position, size, shape of the esophageal neoplasm with local extension and the relation with the adjacent structures as well as lymph node metastases. 2) MPR could well display esophageal structure through different angle and direction. The appearances of inner wall and lesions on CTVE of esophageal neoplasm were similar to those of fiberoptic endoscopy. 3) Barium meal examination was a very effective screening method. Conclusion: Compared with conventional CT and barium meal examination, application of spiral CT provides clinicians with more useful information