Multislice CT imaging of gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs)

Abstract Objective The purpose of this study is to investigate the anatomical and pathological features of the gastrointestinal stromal tumors. Patients and methods in the period between 2008 and 2010 multislice CT images of 32 patients affected by GIST were analyzed, the scanning was obtained before and after contrast medium injection also the bowel distension was obtained by the diluted gastrografin. Images were evaluated for presence, site and origin of the tumor as well as growth pattern relative to the bowel wall density, relationship with adjacent structures and presence or absence of lymph nodes and metastases. Results Thirty two patients with gists were identified (17 men and 15 women; mean age, 55.6 years). The primary tumor was located in the stomach in 14 cases, in the small intestine in 10 cases, in the ceacum and rectum in 5 and 3 cases, respectively. Mean primary tumor size was 14.3 cm (range from 2 to 18 cm). Tumors were typically with regular margins (12/32 cases, 37.5%), lobular (4/32 cases, 12.5%) while (16/32 cases, 50%) were irregular. Central fluid attenuation was seen in (15/32 cases, 49%). An extramucosal origin was definitely established in (28/32 cases, 87%). In (10/32 cases, 31.25%), the lesions exhibited extraluminal growth. Infiltration of the adjacent structures was observed in (20/32 cases, 62.5%). Metastases were detected in (9 /32 cases, 28%) at presentation. Hepatic metastases were detected in four cases, in the omentum in three cases and lymphadenomegaly in two cases. Intestinal obstruction were detected in three cases and ascites in only one patient. Conclusion Multislice CT images can be considered an essential tool for the diagnosis and staging of gists.