Introduction:

CT has become a useful diagnostic modality in the evaluation of the stage of oesophageal carcinoma and an integral part of surgical planning. Present study describes various finding of oesophageal carcinoma on CT to aid in its diagnosis and staging.

Aim and objectives:

The aim of our study is to evaluate and describe the various CT findings of carcinoma oesophagus to evaluate diagnostic accuracy of CT for carcinoma oesophagus and comparision of CT findings with histopathological findings to stage the disease using worldwide accepted criteria of TNM staging system.

Materials and Methods:

After ethical clearance, a prospective study was carried out in the Gujarat Cancer and Research In statute, Ahmedabad, from August 2015 to November 2017. After obtaining consent, 100 patients presenting with clinical symptoms and signs pertaining to carcinoma of oesophagus were studied. Oral and IV contrast was used. Three dimensional reconstructions were done and various CT findings of oesophageal cancer studied. The diagnosis and staging confirmed by post–operative histopathology.

Results:

Carcinoma oesophagus was commonly seen in age group between 51 to 60 years (34%) with males (72%) more commonly affected than females (28%). All patients predominantly presented with dysphagia. The middle 1/3rd of oesophagus affected more commonly compare to other parts. The wall thickness in majority of the cases measured between 10–20mm (62%). T3N1M0 was the most common staging found in CT (30%). 16% cases presented with metastasis. Squamous cell carcinoma (84%) was the most common histopathological type presented. 54 patients got operated out of 100 and CT staging was compared with the postoperative histopathological staging. The accuracy of CT–scan for ‘T’ stage were 83.33 %, in ‘N’ stage 81.48 % and in ‘M’ stage being 99 %.

Conclusion:

CT–scan is excellent in the diagnosis of distant metastasis and lymphadenopathies. Thus, evaluation of various CT findings and preoperative staging of carcinoma oesophagus will help to decide management of these patients. Hence, CT plays an important role in detecting and staging carcinoma oesophagus.