- To learn the role of CT imaging in the detection and characterization of esophageal pathology. - To recognize the most important imaging findings of non-malignant and malignant esophageal diseases.

Esophageal pathology is widely variable and sometimes misdiagnosed in chest-CT scans. For thoracic radiologists, it is critically important to accurately distinguish benign and malignant esophageal entities. Esophageal disorders can cause either dilatation or narrowing of the esophageal lumen or involve the esophageal wall.

Many esophageal lesions are incidentally detected on chest CT. In general, when esophageal pathology is suspected, CT should be performed with both oral and intravenous contrast. CT also allows to evaluate the wall thickness of the esophagus and the presences of associated mediastinal involvement. Esophageal anatomy and histology The esophagus is divided into 3 anatomic regions: cervical, thoracic, and abdominal[1]. The cervical esophagus is bordered anteriorly by the trachea, posteriorly by the prevertebral fascia, and laterally by the carotid sheds and the thyroid gland. The...

Different disorders, including inflammatory, traumatic, and neoplastic can cause esophageal wall thickening, while other entities, such as achalasia or foreign body impaction preferentially will cause esophageal dilatation. Radiologists must be aware of the spectrum of esophageal disorders that can be detected on chest-CT-scans to provide an early diagnosis and avoid misdiagnosis.

M. B. Barrio Piqueras: Nothing to disclose C. Urtasun Iriarte: Nothing to disclose M. Jiménez Vázquez: Nothing to disclose C. Mbongo: Nothing to disclose J. Pueyo Villoslada: Nothing to disclose J. C. Larrache Latasa: Nothing to disclose G. Bastarrika Alemañ: Nothing to disclose A. Ezponda Casajus: Nothing to disclose

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