Contribution of CT to treatment planning in patients with GIST.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to illustrate the morphological and structural computed tomography (CT) patterns of gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GIST) and to discuss the technique's role in identifying lesions at a higher risk for malignant potential, in treatment planning and in the follow-up of patients with GIST.


METHODS
We retrospectively reviewed the CT scans of 26 patients who underwent surgery for histologically confirmed GIST of the stomach (20 cases), the duodenum (1), the caecum (1), the small bowel (2), the descending colon (1) and the rectum (1). CT exams were performed with a single-slice scanner and a 5-mm collimation before and after the intravenous administration of contrast material.


RESULTS
CT allowed us to correctly define the site, size and structure of lesions in all cases and to identify signs of invasion of neighbouring structures in some cases. The lesions exhibited solid density on the unenhanced scan and poor enhancement after contrast-medium administration; lesion structure was homogeneous in ten cases and inhomogeneous in 16; in one case, histology revealed microcalcification that had not been detected by CT.


CONCLUSIONS
CT, with its panoramic capabilities and high contrast resolution, provides essential information for treatment planning and for the follow-up of GIST patients treated with surgery or chemotherapy.
Unità Clinico Operativa di Radiologia, Università degli Studi di Trieste, Ospedale di Cattinara, Strada di Fiume 447, I-34149 Trieste, Italy. ale.rimondini@libero.it
A
A
Rimondini
M
M
Belgrano
G
G
Favretto
A
A
Spivach
A
A
Sartori
F
F
Zanconati
M A
MA
Cova
D000368:Aged; D003287:Contrast Media; D005260:Female; D046152:Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D011857:Radiographic Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
D003287:Contrast Media