Occult lung carcinoma presenting with dysphagia. The value of computed tomography.

Dysphagia is a relatively uncommon presenting symptom of lung carcinoma that usually occurs in association with mediastinal adenopathy. However, a bronchogenic carcinoma will occasionally involve the esophagus by direct invasion. These central lesions can be difficult to visualize on chest radiographs and may not be detected by esophagoscopy or barium swallow. In such cases, a computed tomography scan of the thorax may suggest the correct diagnosis.