[Value of x-ray computed tomography in evaluating the operability of esophageal cancer. Results of a prospective study].

The authors report their results of a prospective double-blind study of 35 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus conducted between February 1987 and February 1988. As all the patients were operated upon, we were able to define diagnostic accuracy (DA) of CT in determining the upper pole of the tumour, position of the tumour, invasion of trachea and bronchi, aorta, left auricle, vertebral column, pleura, pericardium and also abdominal invasion or thoracic lymph node. CT scanning slightly improved pre-operative evaluation of resectability of tumours when compared with routine barium swallow, abdominal US and bronchoscopy. It is not of great help for tumours smaller than 5 cm. CT scanning is particularly useful in evaluation of response to pre-operative chemotherapy.