title: Gastrointestinal stromal tumors: retrospective analysis of the computer-tomographic aspects.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe the computer-tomographic (CT) aspects of gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) in correlation to their histology.
  
  
  METHODS
  The medical records of all patients at our hospital with a histologic diagnosis of GIST between January 2002 and June 2006, and investigated before surgery by CT, were reviewed. Two radiologists with knowledge of the diagnosis reviewed the CT findings.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Amongst 15 cases of GISTs, 9 cases involved the stomach and 4 cases the small intestine. Location of the primary tumor could not be determined for 2 of 15 tumors, because of the presence of extensive peritoneal metastases. Most primary tumors were predominantly extraluminal (13 cases) while two were clearly endoluminal. The mean diameter of the primary tumor was 8 cm. The tumor margin was well defined in 12 patients and irregular in 3 cases. Central fluid attenuation was present in 11 tumors, while central gas was seen in two cases. Metastases were seen in 2 cases at presentation and in another 2 patients during follow-up. Spread was exclusive to the liver or peritoneum. Visceral obstruction was absent even in extensive peritoneal metastatic disease. Ascites was an unusual finding.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  CT plays an important role not only in the detection and the localization but also in the evaluation of the extension and follow-up of theses tumors. Using only CT aspects, we can only suspect the diagnosis to GISTs. Often other soft-tissue tumors with gastrointestinal involvement can mimic GISTs. In all cases histological diagnosis is essential.
authors.affiliation: Radiology Department, Fundeni Hospital, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Carol Davila, Fundeni, Bucharest, Romania. ilupescu@gmail.com
authors.forename: Ioana G
authors.initials: IG
authors.lastname: Lupescu
authors.forename: Mugur
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Grasu
authors.forename: Mirela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Boros
authors.forename: Cristian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gheorghe
authors.forename: Mihnea
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ionescu
authors.forename: Irinel
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Popescu
authors.forename: Vlad
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Herlea
authors.forename: Serban A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Georgescu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D046152:Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D041981:Gastrointestinal Tract / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed