Accuracy of hydro-multidetector row CT in the local T staging of oesophageal cancer compared to postoperative histopathological results.

Objective: To evaluate the accuracy of multidetector computed tomography with water filling (Hydro-MDCT) in the T-staging of patients with oesophageal cancer.

Materials And Methods: There were 131 consecutive patients who were preoperatively and prospectively examined in the prone position on arterial phase contrast-enhanced MDCT, after ingestion of 1,000-1,500 ml tap water and effervescent granules. Two readers staged the local tumour growth (T-staging) independently. They assessed tumour location, size, presence of stenosis, and morphology of the outer border of the oesophageal wall and perioesophageal fat planes on CT. CT findings were compared with histopathological results from resected specimens. Data were analyzed using the SPSS statistical package.

Results: Both readers obtained a high sensitivity of 95% and a high positive predictive value of 96%. Accurate local staging was achieved in 76.3% and 68.7% for readers 1 and 2, respectively. Inter-reader agreement was excellent (weighted κ value of 0.93 and un-weighted κ of 0.89).

Conclusion: Using the hydro-technique and applying specific assessment criteria, MDCT appears to be an accurate, non-invasive diagnostic tool for local tumour staging of oesophageal cancer.