Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma: MRI evaluation of mediastinum.

Thirty-two patients with esophageal spinocellular (squamous cell) carcinoma were studied with superconductive magnet in order to evaluate local and extraluminal extent, as well as mediastinal lymph node spread of the disease. In the absence of adenopathy, the localized tumors were considered susceptible to surgical treatment. All patients were operated on within 21 days. The resectability criteria were correctly evaluated in 75% of cases; sensitivity and specificity were 86 and 67%, respectively. Unsatisfactory results were obtained in the evaluation of mediastinal adenopathies. We conclude that magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is useful in the preoperative evaluation of resectability criteria in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.