Postoperative Imaging of Esophageal Cancer: What Chest Radiologists Need to Know

A practical approach to the post esophagectomy CT: expected postoperative anatomy and anatomical approach to associated complication

This pictorial review aims to provide a structured approach to the interpretation of post esophagectomy CT by reviewing the major esophagectomy surgeries and conduit reconstructions, along with their associated complications at key anatomical landmarks. This paper combines an image rich experience and evidence-based approach to common and rare complications. The paper begins with an overview of the conventional Ivor Lewis esophagectomy and the expected postoperative imaging appearance (with separate detailed tables on additional surgical reconstructions), followed by a focused review of various complications at specific anatomical sites in a systematic fashion. By the conclusion of this review, radiologists will be equipped to employ a systematic approach to post-esophagectomy CT interpretation, confidently identifying both common and uncommon complications.

Esophageal myoepithelial carcinoma: Four case reports

BACKGROUND

Myoepithelial carcinoma (MC) is a rare malignant neoplasm that mainly occurs in the salivary gland. MC can be confused with many other tumors when arising outside the salivary glands because it presents with a wide spectrum of cytomorphological and immunohistochemical features. To the best of our knowledge, esophageal MC has not been previously reported. The purpose of this study was to describe the imaging and clinicopathological features of esophageal MC to improve the understanding of the disease.

CASE SUMMARY

Three men and one woman diagnosed with esophageal MC were enrolled in this study. The primary clinical symptom was dysphagia. The mass was mainly located in the middle esophagus. Laboratory tests revealed that two patients who underwent tumor abnormal protein were positive. Radical resection was performed for all patients with no adjuvant therapy. Hematoxylin-eosin staining showed infiltrative growth of epithelial cells with hyperchromatic and pleomorphic nuclei toward the periphery. Immunohistochemistry showed that all patients were positive for P63, and most patients were positive for SOX-10, AE1/AE3, P40, and calponin. The Ki-67 values were all higher than 60%. Patient one died one month after discharge from an unknown cause. Patient two lost to follow-up. At patient three’s four-month review, enhanced computed tomography (CT) showed anastomosis recurrence and bilateral lung metastases. He abandoned treatment and lost to follow-up. Patient four attended review appointments regularly and remained in a good general condition.

CONCLUSION

Here, we present the first report of esophageal MC and review the relevant literature. Esophageal MC is more likely to occur in the middle esophagus in older patients with male dominance. A fungating type observed on CT scanning may help narrow down the differential diagnosis. Cystic change or necrosis may occur in larger lesions. The final diagnosis should be made according to the pathological examination. The treatment for MC is surgical resection, and the efficacy of chemotherapy needs to be determined with future studies.

Esophageal myoepithelial carcinoma: Four case reports

BACKGROUND

Myoepithelial carcinoma (MC) is a rare malignant neoplasm that mainly occurs in the salivary gland. MC can be confused with many other tumors when arising outside the salivary glands because it presents with a wide spectrum of cytomorphological and immunohistochemical features. To the best of our knowledge, esophageal MC has not been previously reported. The purpose of this study was to describe the imaging and clinicopathological features of esophageal MC to improve the understanding of the disease.

CASE SUMMARY

Three men and one woman diagnosed with esophageal MC were enrolled in this study. The primary clinical symptom was dysphagia. The mass was mainly located in the middle esophagus. Laboratory tests revealed that two patients who underwent tumor abnormal protein were positive. Radical resection was performed for all patients with no adjuvant therapy. Hematoxylin-eosin staining showed infiltrative growth of epithelial cells with hyperchromatic and pleomorphic nuclei toward the periphery. Immunohistochemistry showed that all patients were positive for P63, and most patients were positive for SOX-10, AE1/AE3, P40, and calponin. The Ki-67 values were all higher than 60%. Patient one died one month after discharge from an unknown cause. Patient two lost to follow-up. At patient three’s four-month review, enhanced computed tomography (CT) showed anastomosis recurrence and bilateral lung metastases. He abandoned treatment and lost to follow-up. Patient four attended review appointments regularly and remained in a good general condition.

CONCLUSION

Here, we present the first report of esophageal MC and review the relevant literature. Esophageal MC is more likely to occur in the middle esophagus in older patients with male dominance. A fungating type observed on CT scanning may help narrow down the differential diagnosis. Cystic change or necrosis may occur in larger lesions. The final diagnosis should be made according to the pathological examination. The treatment for MC is surgical resection, and the efficacy of chemotherapy needs to be determined with future studies.

Pitfalls and Pearls in Esophageal Carcinoma

The management of patients with esophageal carcinoma (EC) requires accurate clinical staging and post-therapeutic evaluation. Currently, esophagogastroduodenoscopy/endoscopic ultrasound (EGD/EUS), endoscopic ultrasound-fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA), computed tomography (CT), 18F- fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG-PET/CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging are used for the initial clinical staging, evaluation of therapeutic response and follow-up in patients with EC. However, there are limitations and pitfalls that are commonly encountered when imaging these patients that can limit accurate assessment. Knowledge of the limitations and pitfalls associated with the use of these different imaging modalities is essential in avoiding misinterpretation and guaranteeing the appropriate management for patient with EC.

18F-fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography in Postsurgical and Postprocedural Setting in Thorax and Abdominopelvic Malignancies: A Pictorial Essay (Part II)

This pictorial essay depicts normal appearances, complications and residual or recurrent disease on fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG PET/CT) studies in the postsurgical and postprocedural setting, other than head and neck malignancy. Reading and reporting FDG PET/CT in this scenario is daunting due to the multiple confounding false positives seen during this period. This article which is the second part in this series will familiarize the readers with the normal appearance and pitfalls seen in FDG PET/CT studies in thoracic and abdominopelvic malignancies during the postoperative and postprocedural period so as to avoid misinterpretations.

Imaging of postoperative complications following Ivor-Lewis esophagectomy

Postoperative imaging plays a key role in the identification of complications after Ivor-Lewis esophagectomy (ILE). Careful analysis of imaging examinations can help identify the cause of the presenting symptoms and the mechanism of the complication. The complex surgical procedure used in ILE results in anatomical changes that make imaging interpretation challenging for many radiologists. The purpose of this review was to make radiologists more familiar with the imaging findings of normal anatomical changes and those of complications following ILE to enable accurate evaluation of patients with an altered postoperative course. Anastomotic leak, gastric conduit necrosis and pleuropulmonary complications are the most serious complications after ILE. Computed tomography used in conjunction with oral administration of contrast material is the preferred diagnostic tool, although it conveys limited sensitivity for the diagnosis of anastomotic fistula. In combination with early endoscopic assessment, it can also help early recognition of complications and appropriate therapeutic management.

Responsiveness and convergent validity of QLU-C10D and EQ-5D-3L in assessing short-term quality of life following esophagectomy

Aim

This study assessed the responsiveness and convergent validity of two preference-based measures; the newly developed cancer-specific EORTC Quality of Life Utility Measure-Core 10 dimensions (QLU-C10D) relative to the generic three-level version of the EuroQol 5 dimensions (EQ-5D-3L) in evaluating short-term health related quality of life (HRQoL) outcomes after esophagectomy.

Methods

Participants were enrolled in a multicentre randomised controlled trial to determine the impact of preoperative and postoperative immunonutrition versus standard nutrition in patients with esophageal cancer. HRQoL was assessed seven days before and 42 days after esophagectomy. Standardized Response Mean and Effect Size were calculated to assess responsiveness. Ceiling effects for each dimension were calculated as the proportion of the best level responses for that dimension at follow-up/post-operatively. Convergent validity was assessed using Spearman’s correlation and the level of agreement was explored using Bland–Altman plots.

Results

Data from 164 respondents (mean age: 63 years, 81% male) were analysed. HRQoL significantly reduced on both measures with large effect sizes (> 0.80), and a greater mean difference (0.29 compared to 0.16) on QLU-C10D. Both measures had ceiling effects (> 15%) on all dimensions at baseline. Following esophagectomy, ceiling effects were observed with self-care (86%), mobility (67%), anxiety/depression (55%) and pain/discomfort (19%) dimensions on EQ-5D-3L. For QLU-C10D ceiling effects were observed with emotional function (53%), physical function (16%), nausea (35%), sleep (31%), bowel problems (21%) and pain (20%). A strong correlation (r = 0.71) was observed between EQ-5D-3L anxiety and QLU-C10D emotional function dimensions. Good agreement (3.7% observations outside the limits of agreement) was observed between the utility scores.

Conclusion

The QLU-C10D is comparable to the more widely applied generic EQ-5D-3L, however, QLU-C10D was more sensitive to short-term utility changes following esophagectomy. Cognisant of requirements by policy makers to apply generic utility measures in cost effectiveness studies, the disease-specific QLU-C10D should be used alongside the generic measures like EQ-5D-3L.

Trial registration: The trial was registered with the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trial Registry (ACTRN12611000178943) on the 15th of February 2011.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12955-021-01867-w.

Arterial Infusion Chemotherapy for Neoplastic Esophagogastric Anastomotic Strictures After Esophagectomy

Background

Neoplastic esophagogastric anastomotic strictures after resection of esophageal cancer is a very difficult problem in clinical practice. We aim at to investigate the safety and feasibility of arterial infusion chemotherapy in treatment of neoplastic esophagogastric anastomotic strictures after esophagectomy.

Methods

From October 2014 to December 2019, 50 patients with Neoplastic esophagogastric anastomotic strictures after resection of esophageal cancer were assessed retrospectively. Preoperative dysphagia was grade III in 34 cases and grade IV in 16 cases. Thirty-eight patients had different degrees of dyspnea before surgery Twenty-five patients had intolerable (grade IV) dyspnea and airway stenting was undertaken before surgery. Thirteen patients had tolerable dyspnea that did not require airway stenting, and preoperative dyspnea was grade III.

Results

All patients were successfully treated with arterial infusion chemotherapy, no paraplegia or death occurred. The dysphagia grade of 50 patients after AIC was compared: one case had grade I, 40 cases had grade II, and nine cases had grade III. Thirteen patients had tolerable dyspnea that did not necessitate airway stenting. Dyspnea was classified as grade I in five cases and grade II in eight cases. After 1–3 courses of AIC, 50 patients were followed up for a complete response (eight cases), partial response (28) and stable disease (14 cases). Total objective effective rate (complete response+ partial response) and disease control rate(complete response + partial response + stable disease)were 72.0% and 100.0%, respectively. The median duration of follow-up was 8.5 months. One-year survival was 46.0%.

Conclusion

Arterial infusion chemotherapy is safe and efficacious treatment for Neoplastic esophagogastric anastomotic strictures after esophagectomy.

Endoscopic dilation of benign post-esophagectomy anastomotic strictures: long-term outcomes and risk of recurrence

Background

Benign esophageal anastomotic strictures often require repeat dilation to relieve dysphagia. Little is known about the factors that affect their remediation. The purpose of this article was to retrospectively evaluate the long-term clinical results of endoscopic dilation in the treatment of benign anastomotic strictures after esophagectomy, and to identify factors associated with stricture recurrence.

Methods

A single-center retrospective analysis (using electronic records) was performed on patients who underwent endoscopic dilation for esophageal anastomotic strictures. Long-term clinical effectiveness, including technical and clinical success, and complication rate were assessed. Factors independently related to recurrence were evaluated.

Results

Between January 2014 and December 2017, a total of 35 patients who had benign anastomotic strictures after esophagectomy underwent 182 endoscopic dilation procedures. Technical success was 100%. Thirty-two patients (91%) had initial relief of dysphagia. The clinical success, defined as resolution of dysphagia and achieving luminal patency of 13 mm or more, was achieved in 24 patients (69%). Strictures recurred in 43% of patients, and refractory strictures were identified in 10/35 (29%). Proximal anastomosis and the presence of anastomotic foreign bodies were found to be risk factors for refractory strictures. The complication rate was low (4%) and adverse events were mild. No major complications (perforations, severe bleeding) or treatment-related deaths occurred in this series.

Conclusions

Endoscopic dilation has a high technical and a good clinical success rate. However, anastomotic strictures are often refractory and frequently recur.

Esophageal emergencies: another important cause of acute chest pain

A variety of esophageal pathologies can present emergently with a chief complaint of acute chest pain. Computed tomography (CT) is often the first line of imaging in esophageal emergencies and provides useful information-even without an initial suspicion-when used in conjunction with other imaging modalities such as esophagography and direct visualization. We review various urgent and emergent esophageal disease entities which may manifest as acute chest pain, with an emphasis on CT and ancillary imaging appearances, while discussing management according to their emergency. Radiologists should be familiar with the imaging findings of these esophageal emergencies in order to provide an accurate diagnosis and recommend timely and appropriate management.

Esophagography and chest CT for detection of perforated esophagus: what factors influence accuracy?

PURPOSE

To determine: whether the use of both esophagography (EG) and CT is superior to either study alone in the detection of esophageal injuries and perforations.

METHODS

Paired CT and EG performed for suspected perforated or injured native esophagus (NAE) or neo-esophagus (NEOE) were retrospectively identified and independently scored for likelihood of perforation with a Likert scale. Official reports were scored with the same scale. Retrospective study and official interpretations were assessed separately for overall diagnostic accuracy, for diagnosis of contained versus free perforation.

RESULTS

110 paired exams performed in 107 patients fulfilled inclusion criteria. Overall, combined CT and EG retrospective study interpretation was greater than EG or CT scans alone. Study EG and combined CT and EG interpretations were less sensitive for contained perforations than for free perforations. Evaluations of NAE and NEOE showed similar sensitivities. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve generated from combined official CT and EG interpretations was superior to ROC from combined retrospective study interpretations.

CONCLUSIONS

Combination of EG and CT can improve sensitivity for detecting perforated intrathoracic viscus, but even with combined studies accurate diagnosis of contained perforations is challenging. Superior performance of official reports suggests that concurrent review using both modalities may improve accuracy.

ACR Appropriateness Criteria® Dysphagia

This review summarizes the relevant literature for the initial imaging of patients with symptoms of dysphagia. For patients with oropharyngeal dysphagia who have an underlying attributable cause, a modified barium swallow is usually appropriate for initial imaging but for those who have unexplained dysphagia a fluoroscopic biphasic esophagram is usually appropriate. Fluoroscopic biphasic esophagram is usually appropriate for initial imaging in both immunocompetent and immunocompromised patients who have retrosternal dysphagia. For postoperative patients with dysphagia, fluoroscopic single-contrast esophagram and CT neck and chest with intravenous (IV) contrast are usually appropriate for oropharyngeal or retrosternal dysphagia occurring in the early postoperative period where water-soluble contrast is usually preferred rather than barium sulfate. In the later postoperative period (greater than 1 month), CT neck and chest with IV contrast and fluoroscopic single-contrast esophagram are usually appropriate. The American College of Radiology Appropriateness Criteria are evidence-based guidelines for specific clinical conditions that are reviewed annually by a multidisciplinary expert panel. The guideline development and revision include an extensive analysis of current medical literature from peer reviewed journals and the application of well-established methodologies (RAND/UCLA Appropriateness Method and Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation or GRADE) to rate the appropriateness of imaging and treatment procedures for specific clinical scenarios. In those instances where evidence is lacking or equivocal, expert opinion may supplement the available evidence to recommend imaging or treatment.

Role of Imaging in Esophageal Cancer Management in 2020: Update for Radiologists

OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this article is to discuss the role of imaging in the management of esophageal cancer. CONCLUSION. A multimodality-based approach to imaging is essential in clinical practice to achieve the best possible outcome for patients with esophageal cancer. Radiologists must be aware of the strengths and limitations of different imaging modalities in various clinical settings. The role of a radiologist is to combine information from anatomic and functional imaging, assess metastatic disease and changes in the primary tumor during treatment, and identify anatomic complications after treatment.

Esophagectomy and Gastric Pull-through Procedures: Surgical Techniques, Imaging Features, and Potential Complications

Esophagectomy takes the center stage in the curative treatment of local and local-regional esophageal cancer. It is a complex procedure with a high postoperative complication rate. When interpreting imaging studies, radiologists must understand the surgical techniques used and their potential complications. The most common surgical techniques are transthoracic esophagectomies, such as the Ivor Lewis and McKeown techniques, and transhiatal esophagectomy. Variations of these techniques include different choices of conduit (ie, stomach, colon, or jejunum) to serve in lieu of the resected esophagus. Postoperative imaging and accurate interpretation is vital in the aftercare of these patients. Chest radiographs, esophagrams, and computed tomographic images play an essential role in early identification of complications. Pulmonary complications and anastomotic leaks are the leading causes of postoperative morbidity and mortality secondary to esophagectomy. Other complications include technical and functional problems and delayed complications such as anastomotic strictures and disease recurrence. An esophagographic technique is described that is performed by using hand injection of contrast material into an indwelling nasogastric tube. Familiarity with the various types of esophagectomy and an understanding of possible complications are of utmost importance for radiologists and allow them to be key participants in the treatment of patients undergoing these complicated procedures.

Benign anastomotic strictures after esophagectomy: long-term effectiveness of balloon dilation and factors affecting recurrence in 155 patients

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this article is to retrospectively evaluate the long-term clinical results of balloon dilation in the treatment of benign anastomotic strictures after esophagectomy and to identify factors associated with stricture recurrence.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

From January 1996 to June 2011, a total of 309 sessions of balloon dilation were performed in 155 patients with benign anastomotic strictures after esophagectomy. Long-term clinical effectiveness was assessed using the following variables: technical and clinical success, complications, and patency rates. Factors independently related to recurrence were evaluated with the Cox model. Tested variables were age, sex, operation type, postoperative anastomotic leakage, balloon size, length of stricture, time to postoperative stricture development, complications, and neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy.

RESULTS

The mean follow-up period was 37 months (range, 1-159 months). Overall clinical success was achieved in 153 patients (99%) after a single (n = 78) or multiple (n = 75) balloon dilations. During follow-up, recurrence of the stricture requiring repeated dilation was seen in 77 of 155 patients (50%). Esophageal rupture (mostly intramural rupture) occurred in 22 of 155 patients (14%) and 34 of 309 balloon dilations (11%). In multivariate analysis, early development of stricture within 10 weeks after surgery (p = 0.002) and McKeown esophagectomy (p = 0.002) were independently related to recurrence after initial balloon dilation.

CONCLUSION

Balloon dilation under fluoroscopic guidance has encouraging long-term results in the treatment of benign anastomotic strictures after esophagectomy. However, recurrence after balloon dilation was common, with McKeown esophagectomy and development of stricture within 10 weeks after surgery associated with recurrent strictures.

Clinical usefulness of 18F-FDG PET/CT in the restaging of esophageal cancer after surgical resection and radiotherapy

AIM: To evaluate the clinical usefulness of ¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission and computed tomography (¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT) in restaging of esophageal cancer after surgical resection and radiotherapy.

METHODS: Between January 2007 and Aug 2008, twenty histopathologically diagnosed esophageal cancer patients underwent 25 PET/CT scans (three patients had two scans and one patient had three scans) for restaging after surgical resection and radiotherapy. The standard reference for tumor recurrence was histopathologic confirmation or clinical follow-up for at least ten months after ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT examinations.

RESULTS: Tumor recurrence was confirmed histopathologically in seven of the 20 patients (35%) and by clinical and radiological follow-up in 13 (65%). ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT was positive in 14 patients (68.4%) and negative in six (31.6%). ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT was true positive in 11 patients, false positive in three and true negative in six. Overall, the accuracy of ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT was 85%, negative predictive value (NPV) was 100%, and positive predictive value (PPV) was 78.6%. The three false positive PET/CT findings comprised chronic inflammation of mediastinal lymph nodes (n = 2) and anastomosis inflammation (n = 1). PET/CT demonstrated distant metastasis in 10 patients. ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT imaging-guided salvage treatment in nine patients was performed. Treatment regimens were changed in 12 (60%) patients after introducing ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT into their conventional post-treatment follow-up program.

CONCLUSION: Whole body ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT is effective in detecting relapse of esophageal cancer after surgical resection and radiotherapy. It could also have important clinical impact on the management of esophageal cancer, influencing both clinical restaging and salvage treatment of patients.