[Intramural gastric metastasis of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma: an analysis of imaging findings and clinicopathological features]

Objective: To discuss the imaging findings and clinicopathological features of the intramural gastric metastasis (IGM) of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Methods: The imaging findings of 11 patients with IGM confirmed by surgical pathology were reviewed retrospectively, and compared with clinicopathological features. Of the 11 cases, eight underwent upper gastrointestinal radiography, ten underwent contrast enhanced computed tomography (CT) scans and one underwent plain CT scanning. Results: In all 11 cases, the primary cancer was located in the middle or lower thoracic esophagus, and nine of 11 had lymph nodes metastasis. All of the 11 tumors within the stomach were located in the upper one-third of the stomach, with the maximum diameter of tumor ranging from 1.0 cm to 12.0 cm. Gastrointestinal radiography showed irregular filling defect of the stomach in three cases with clear border resembled a submucosal tumor. Mucosal folds of the stomach were irregular and rough in two cases. On CT scans, nodule or mass in the gastric wall was found in seven patients, and two of them were accompanied with ulcer formation. Eccentric or nodular gastric wall thickening was found in the other two patients. All of them were heterogeneous mild-to-moderate enhancement. Conclusions: The imaging appearances of IGM have certain characteristics, but final diagnosis depends on histopathology. The prognosis of IGM was extremely poor, so the preoperative diagnosis is very important to guide clinical treatment.