Computed tomography in carcinoma of esophagus and cardia.

CT scanning was performed on 36 patients with carcinoma of the esophagus or cardia. In a retrospective study, staging of esophageal malignancy, obtained by CT, was correlated with clinical data as well as endoscopic, bronchoscopic, operative, and/or autopsy findings. The results indicated that CT is a useful method for pretherapeutic staging in carcinoma of the esophagus and cardia and should be routinely performed in conjunction with conventional x-ray examination and esophagoscopy. The use of mediastinoscopy and diagnostic surgical procedures such as exploratory thoracotomy and laparotomy can be reduced.