Tumori gastrointestinali stromali: Aspetti con tomografia computerizzata multidetettore (40-strati)

Purpose. The purpose of this study was to describe the findings and evaluate the role of multidetector (40-slice) computed tomography (MDCT) in the preoperative assessment of gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GISTs). Materials and methods. Thirteen patients with histologically proven GIST (size: 4-30 cm; mean: 9 cm) underwent 40-slice MDCT after the ingestion of 1,000 ml of water. Images were obtained before and 70 s after intravenous injection of 120 ml of iodinated contrast agent. Two experienced radiologists reviewed the CT findings to evaluate lesion site, size, margins, attenuation, growth pattern, enhancement pattern, ascites, lymphadenopathy, direct invasion to adjacent organs and distant metastasis. Multiplanar maximum intensity projection and three-dimensional (3D) reconstructions were also obtained. Results. Seven out of 13 GISTs were located in the jejunum-ileum, 3/13 in the stomach, 2/13 in the rectum and in one case, the origin remained unknown. Eleven out of 13 were exophytic, and ten had well-defined borders. Two out of 13 showed calcifications. Thirteen out of 13 exhibited inhomogeneous enhancement due to areas of necrosis and cystic degeneration. Direct invasion to adjacent organs (n=3), ascites (n=3), and liver (n=1) and peritoneal (n=1) metastases were also detected. Bowel obstruction, vascular invasion and lymphadenopathy were never seen. Conclusions. MDCT allowed reliable preoperative assessment of GIST, providing useful clues for lesion characterisation.