Cancer versus not cancer on esophagram. [Gastrointestinal] [FL]

Quick one today. Take a look at Patient A and Patient B.

Patient A has a smooth focal indentation of the posterior cervical esophagus.

Patient B has a broader indentation that is also irregular and nodular along its contour.

Patient A has a cricopharyngeal bar, which is a prominence caused by the cricopharyngeus muscle that can cause dysphagia if it gets really prominent. Patient B has esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

14 points · 4 comments · view on lemmy.world

4 Comments

TonyTonyChopper@mander.xyz · 1 pts · 3y (3 replies)

Are they swallowing during the X-ray so you can see these features?

Spectator@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 3y (2 replies)

Yep. They're in the middle of swallowing some liquid contrast. Take the picture 1 second later and you miss the shot.

TonyTonyChopper@mander.xyz · 1 pts · 3y (1 reply)

Sounds tricky haha. Is it some iodine containing solution?

Spectator@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 3y

It's usually barium sulfate, which can have a more viscous consistency that makes it go down a little slower and allows it to stick to things to outline them. But yes, regular iodine contrast can also be used.