Gastrointestinal stromal tumor CT
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Parminder Dhingra, M.D. [2]
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Gastrointestinal stromal tumor Microchapters |
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Differentiating Gastrointestinal stromal tumor from other Diseases |
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Diagnosis |
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Treatment |
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Case Studies |
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Gastrointestinal stromal tumor CT On the Web |
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American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Gastrointestinal stromal tumor CT |
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Directions to Hospitals Treating Gastrointestinal stromal tumor |
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Risk calculators and risk factors for Gastrointestinal stromal tumor CT |
Overview
Abdominal CT scan may be helpful in the diagnosis of gastrointestinal stromal tumor.
CT scan
Appearances vary with size and location. Typically the mass is of soft tissue density with central areas of lower density when necrosis is present (usually in larger tumours). Enhancement is typically peripheral (due to central necrosis). Calcification is uncommon (3%). Metastases (distant, peritoneal, omental) or direct invasion into adjacent organs may be seen in more aggressive lesions. Lymph node enlargement is not a feature.[1]
Computed tomography (CT) is the imaging test of choice for diagnosing GIST. On a CT scan, a malignant GIST with metastasis may have the following findings
- size greater than 10 cm
- calcifications
- irregular margins
- heterogeneous, lobulated
- lymphadenopathy,
- ulceration,
- extraluminal and mesenteric fat infiltration
CT with contrast (oral) is superior to normal CT. CT with contrast can better visualize the
- thickness of the small bowel
- deep ileal loops without superimposition
- evaluation of surrounding mesentery
MRI is more accurate than CT for delineating rectal GISTs and in detecting liver metastasis, hemorrhage and necrosis.