ULTRASONOGRAPHIC IMAGING OF NEOPLASMS OF THE CERVICAL ESOPHAGUS

Background/Aims: We studied the effectiveness of ultrasonography in ev aluating the cervical esophagus for the presence of large masses arisi ng from the esophageal wall and consequently, the modifications of the visceral lumen. Materials and Methods: The cervical esophagus can be evaluated by ultrasound with longitudinal and axial scans, using the l eft thyroid lobe as an acoustic window. The cervical esophagus can be visualized from the C5 to D2 vertebrae. From November 1992 to July 199 6, 220 patients with esophageal cancer and 120 subjects without esopha geal disease (control group) were examined with ultrasonography. Exami nation of the cervical esophagus was performed with a linear high defi nition small parts probe with a frequency of 7.5-10 Mhz. Results: In a ll 31 patients with cancer of the cervical esophagus, ultrasonography of the cervical region showed the presence of an expanding mass from t he esophageal wall as well as the modifications in the visceral lumen. The neoplasm of the cervical esophagus was visualized when its diamet er exceeded 5 mm. Conclusions: The experience of the authors shows tha t, during ultrasound examination of the cervical region, it is possibl e to accurately evaluate the cervical esophagus, either morphologicall y or functionally.