Computed tomography of the esophagus.

CT is a rapid, accurate, and safe imaging modality for evaluating patients with esophageal disease. Thoracoabdominal CT has its greatest value in staging patients with esophageal carcinoma. In the noncachectic patient CT clearly shows the presence of periesophageal spread of the patient's tumor and identifies the presence of intraabdominal node or hepatic metastasis. For the surgeon it represents a noninvasive manner of outlining the extent of disease and will help to determine whether a palliative or curative resection should be attempted. Furthermore CT accurately outlines the extent of disease in both the thorax and the abdomen for planning radiation therapy. CT is also useful in differentiating between carcinoma and benign chronic hypertrophic reflux esophagitis with stricture when endoscopic and radiographic findings are inconclusive.