Early esophageal carcinoma - Evaluation of the depth of invasion based on double-contrast esophagography

Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess the depth of invasion of early esophageal carcinoma (EEC) by means of double-contrast esophagography. Material and Methods: The radiological findings of 46 EECs were retrospectively analyzed for the following factors that might be related to the depth of invasion: in depressed lesions (n=30): maximum size, surface appearance, sharpness of contour, and wall rigidity; and in elevated lesions (n=16). maximum size, height, shape, and wall rigidity. All lesions were surgically or endoscopically resected and the radiological findings were compared with the histological appearance. Results. In depressed lesions, the size of the surface granules correlated very strongly with the depth of invasion (r(s)=0.8147). In both depressed and elevated lesions, wall rigidity correlated strongly with the depth of invasion (r(s)=0.7540 and r(s)=0.6702 respectively). In depressed lesions, sharpness of contour also correlated strongly with the depth of invasion (r(s)=0.6731). The other factors did not correlate with the depth of invasion. Conclusion: Double-contrast esophagography could provide useful information for assessing the depth of invasion of EECs.