Table 2 The CECT-derived imaging feature analysis of the enrolled ESCC patients

CTV_Tumor (HU)

72.0 (66.5–79.0)

65.0 (58.2–72.8)

68.0 (61.0–75.0)

 < 0.001^#

CTV_Normal (HU)

40.6 ± 4.9

40.0 ± 5.1

40.2 ± 5.1

0.413^&

TNR

1.79 (1.64–1.90)

1.64 (1.47–1.85)

1.68 (1.51–1.88)

0.001^#

ΔTN (HU)

32.0(27.0–37.0)

25.0 (18.0–33.8)

27.0 (21.0–34.0)

 < 0.001^#

Enhancement pattern

0.001*

 Homogenous

42 (71.2%)

125 (90.6%)

167 (84.8%)

 Heterogeneous

17 (28.8%)

13 (9.42%)

30 (15.2%)

Thickness (cm)

1.65 (1.42–2.05)

1.40 (1.20–1.55)

1.47 (1.25–1.67)

 < 0.001^#

Length (cm)

5.36 (4.48–6.03)

4.12 (3.42–4.94)

4.43 (3.71–5.46)

 < 0.001^#

GTV (cm³)

14.8 (11.7–26.2)

8.34 (4.23–14.3)

10.8(5.70–16.7)

 < 0.001^#

Tumor margin, n (%)

 < 0.001*

 Regular

25 (42.4%)

117 (84.8%)

142 (72.1%)

 Irregular

34 (57.6%)

21 (15.2%)

55 (27.9%)

EVFDT, n (%)

 < 0.001*

 Absent

23 (39.0%)

98 (71.0%)

121 (61.4%)

 Present

36 (61.0%)

40 (29.0%)

76 (38.6%)

Necrosis, n (%)

0.007*

 Absent

42 (71.2%)

121 (87.7%)

163 (82.7%)

 Present

17 (28.8%)

17 (12.3%)

34 (17.3%)