To describe the esophageal anatomy in order to facilitate the recognition of the pathology and its interpretation in imaging studies, mainly in Computed Tomography. To describe an only CT protocol that allows assessment of the inflammatory, tumoral and traumatic esophageal pathology. To illustrate the meaning imaging findings of the most frequent esophageal pathology, non-malignant and malignant. To describe two different methods of evaluation of esophageal pathology, according to its non-malignant or malignant radiological characteristics. 96

Esophageal pathology represents a broad spectrum of conditions, with a wide range from non-malignant to malignant entities. It is important to recognize the radiological characteristics of each one, although in most cases they can be overlapping. Therefore, we have recognized and adopted proposed ways to approach benign1 and malignant2 pathology separately, resulting in a useful method that, according to the findings by images, provides a practical and reliable guide to the different diagnostic possibilities. The principal objective of this article is to integrate knowledge of...

The esophagus, in the different imaging modalities, is identified as a tubular and hollow structure, with a specific localization, detailed in Table 3 and normal wall thickness and diameters1,5, summarized as follows: Diameters: Upper thoracic segment: Anteroposterior average: 14 mm, range 11-20 mm.Transverse average: 18 mm, range 11-28 mm. The other segments: Normal 30 mm, Abnormal: if the esophageal lumen approaches the luminal size of the trachea for about one-third of the esophageal length1. Wall thickness: Upper thoracic esophagus: Normal: 3 mm1, range: 2-8mm. Abnormal...

96 Esophageal disease is extensive and the esophagus has historically been relegated. It is important to know the anatomy and to use a method to approach the esophageal pathology based on the abnormalities of the lumen and the wall in a non-malignant pathology. To recognize the updated TNM in the malignant pathology becomes more practical and give the radiologist tools to not forget the esophageal diseases that have been forgotten.

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