Abstract
The prognosis of esophageal carcinoma has remained poor despite improvement of diagnostic modalities. Endosonography and computed tomography were performed for preoperative TNM staging (clinical TNM) of esophageal carcinoma. Endosonography was superior to computed tomography for diagnosing early stages and nonresectability of carcinoma. Endosonography was also superior to computed tomography in diagnosing regional lymph node metastases. For diagnosing nonmetastatic lymph nodes, however, computed tomography was superior. Endosonography was superior for diagnosing celiac lymph node metastases but less accurate in detecting liver involvement. Endosonography was accurate for clinical TNM staging of esophageal carcinoma. The possibility of performing cytology and biopsy will further enhance the diagnostic value of endosonography.