Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

Case contributed by Bruno Di Muzio
Diagnosis almost certain

Presentation

Dysphagia and progressive weight loss in the last three months. Smoker.

Patient Data

Age: 61-year-old
Gender: Male

CT Chest

ct

Technique: Pre and post-contrast images were obtained through the chest.

Comparison: No previous exams were availble for comparison.

Findings: There is a circumferential wall thickness along the distal third of the esophagus showing a slight diffuse enhancement. No signs of mediastinal invasion are seen. No enlarged mediastinal lymph nodes. Nasogastric tube through the esophageal lumen. The remainder structures of the mediastinum are unremarkable.  

Small calcified pulmonary nodule in the anterior segment of the right upper lobe. The remainder lungs are unremarkable. 

Conclusion: Distal esophageal carcinoma without signs of mediastinal invasion or regional metastasis. 

Case Discussion

This patient was diagnosed with a squamous cell esophageal carcinoma stage IIA (TNM), which means the invasion of the muscularis propria and adventitia. Submitted to radiation therapy and esophagectomy. The CT study basically plays a complementary step for the cancer stage, excluding signs of invasion into mediastinal tissues and mediastinal adenopathy. 

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