A study on clinical value of CT features of tracheoesophageal groove lymph node metastasis of thoracic esophageal carcinoma / 中华放射学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To evaluate the clinical value of CT scan in the diagnosis of tracheoesophageal groove lymph node (TEGLN) metastasis of thoracic esophageal carcinoma. Methods Forty-six patients with thoracic esophageal carcinoma underwent esophagectomy with three-field dissection (3FD) of the cervical, mediastinal, and abdominal lymph nodes. CT findings of TEGLN were compared with that of pathological findings. Results Among the 46 patients who underwent esophagectomy with 3FD, 14 (30%) were found to have TEGLN metastases. Of the 277 TEGLNs excised by operation, 16 were found to have metastases. Primary sites of the thoracic esophageal carcinoma with TEGLN metastasis in upper, middle, or lower portion were 66.67%, 22.86%, and 40%, respectively. The difference between each portion was not statistically significant. The thoracic esophageal carcinoma with TEGLN metastasis in T 1, T 2, T 3 and T 4 staging were 50.00%, 25.00%, 28.57%, and 100.00%, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference between each T staging. 18 TEGLNs were found in CT scans. The average diameter of them was 1cm (0.3～2.5 cm). Sensitivity and specificity of CT examination were 87.50% and 98.47%, respectively. Positive predict value and negative predict value were 77.78% and 99.23%, respectively. Conclusion In patient with thoracic esophageal carcinoma, nodules appeared in tracheoesophageal groove could be diagnosed as lymph nodal metastases. Low cervical and mediastinal CT scan should be a conventional examination, and it was the basis of the radiation therapy plan. Dissection of TEGLN was very important for patient of thoracic esophageal carcinoma, but if bilateral tracheoesophageal grooves were negative in CT scans, and bilateral internal jugular chain and bilateral superclavicular lymph node were both negative in clinical examination. 3FD dissection, which could increase the rate of operative complication, was not conventionally used.