Abstract: Objective To evaluate the value of preoperative computed tomography (CT) in thoracicesophageal carcinoma and its resectabiligy . Methods 53 patients of thmeic esophageal carcinoma were all examined with CT before operation . Comparison was made between CT appearance and the operative result .Results CT clearlydemonstrated the Location length and extent of esophageal carcinoma as well as its relation with surroundingstructures in all cases. Among the 53 cases, surgical resection was performed in 47 cases and exploratory thoractomyin 6. Conclusion CT imaging plays an importantrole in the preoperative diagnosis of thoracic esophageal carcinoma . Itprovides valuable drination for detemining the resectabiligy of the tumor.