Role of Barium Esophagography and Computed Tomography in the Evaluation of Esophageal Carcinoma

Background Carcinoma of esophagus remains one of the most lethal of all cancers. Its late presentation and extramural spread lead to poor long term prognosis. Hence barium esophagography and Computed Tomography help in detecting the lesion at an early stage and pre-treatment staging of the tumour. Aims and Objectives To correlate CT scan findings with barium esophagography in Carcinoma Esophagus. To compare those studies with histopathology findings. To stage the disease using world wide accepted criteria of TNM staging system. Design A cross-sectional study using barium esophagography and Computed Tomography in the evaluation of Esophageal Carcinoma. Materials and methods The study was conducted from October 2014 to October 2016 and included 30 cases who were admitted in Justice K S Hegde Charitable hospital, Deralakatte, Mangalore. Cases presenting with dysphagia and those suspected of having esophageal carcinoma were examined radiologically. Barium swallow study were performed in all cases as an initial mode of investigation. After initial diagnosis by barium swallow study, the diagnosis was confirmed by an endoscopy with biopsy. Computed tomography was then done for pre-therapy staging and management planning. Results Carcinoma of esophagus was common in age group between 40-60 years with male predominance. The disease presented as filling defect mainly in mid and distal esophagus on barium esophagography and CT provided information about the length and width of the tumour, lymph node involvement and metastatic disease. All the cases were Squamous Cell Carcinomas. Conclusion Barium esophagography should be routinely used as a screening modality in conjunction with endoscopy and biopsy followed by CECT scan for appropriate staging of the disease