PET/CT scan was performed for 30 newly diagnosed esophageal carcinoma patients within the week before operation and radio-and/or chemo-therapy.The diagnosis of esophageal carcinoma was established according to the histopathology examination.In 15 patients with operation

the findings of PET/CT of 130 regional lymph nodes were compared with the histopathology examination.The distant metastasis of all patients and the regional lymph node metastasis of 15 patients without operation were diagnosed by the pathological examination

other imaging findings or/and clinical follow up for over 6 months.The results show that all the primary lesions had very intense 18F-FDG uptake.The sensitivity of PET/CT was 100%.The lymph nodes metastasis was proved in 20 patients (66.7%).PET/CT was true positive in 18patients

false positive in 2 patients.The sensitivity

specificity and accuracy of PET/CT were 90.0%

80.0% and 86.7%

respectively

based on the case study.In 130 excised lymph nodes of 15 patients with the operation

23 of 33 lymph nodes metastasis were detected by PET/CT.The sensitivity

specificity and accuracy of PET/CT were 69.7%

97.9% and 90.8%

respectively

based on the lesion study.PET/CT detected the distant metastasis in the liver

lung and bone in 4 cases.After PET/CT imaging

the staging of tumor in 16 patients was improved

1 was lowered

and 13 was concord with pre-staging.18F-FDG PET/CT plays an important role in the diagnosis and staging for esophageal cancer.