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Will Standard Chest X-ray Show Esophagus Tumor?
Question: Can a chest xray spot (NOT DIAGNOSE) an esophageal mass?
Also, I had a abdominal ultrasound about a week ago and it said my liver, pancreas, spleen and kidneys looked normal. Would the abominal ultrasound be able to see if there was something wrong with my stomach? Would the abdominal ultrasound be able to see a mass at the distal end of my esophagus that attaches to my stomach?
Also, I had a abdominal ultrasound about a week ago and it said my liver, pancreas, spleen and kidneys looked normal. Would the abominal ultrasound be able to see if there was something wrong with my stomach? Would the abdominal ultrasound be able to see a mass at the distal end of my esophagus that attaches to my stomach?
Brief Answer:
Not possible and not expected due to limitations of these investigations.
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Thanks for your query.
All the investigations have their limitations due to technology used, expertise and the norms set all over the world.
Hence an X-ray of the chest can raise the suspicion of a mediastinal or esophageal mass mass if sufficiently large enough to spread outside the shadow of the heart and the spine. There is overlapping of all the structure.
Hence it is not expected the esophageal mass to be seen on X-ray of the chest.
Similar thing about Ultrasonography, it has tremendous limitations, the gases do not allow the ultrasound rays to pass through and return back. Due to this and other limitations it is not expected to see the masses at the lower esophagus and the stomach in ultrasonography.
This is the reason Contrast enhanced CT scan is advised. This is one of the right investigations for the conditions you have mentioned, along with Endoscopy.
I hope this answers your query, please feel free to ask for further relevant queries if you feel that there is a gap of communication.
Not possible and not expected due to limitations of these investigations.
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Thanks for your query.
All the investigations have their limitations due to technology used, expertise and the norms set all over the world.
Hence an X-ray of the chest can raise the suspicion of a mediastinal or esophageal mass mass if sufficiently large enough to spread outside the shadow of the heart and the spine. There is overlapping of all the structure.
Hence it is not expected the esophageal mass to be seen on X-ray of the chest.
Similar thing about Ultrasonography, it has tremendous limitations, the gases do not allow the ultrasound rays to pass through and return back. Due to this and other limitations it is not expected to see the masses at the lower esophagus and the stomach in ultrasonography.
This is the reason Contrast enhanced CT scan is advised. This is one of the right investigations for the conditions you have mentioned, along with Endoscopy.
I hope this answers your query, please feel free to ask for further relevant queries if you feel that there is a gap of communication.
Note: Revert back with your health reports to get further guidance on your gastric problems. Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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