title: Gastrointestinal stromal tumor: computed tomographic features.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe anatomical distribution and CT findings of gastrointestinal stromal tumors in Srinagarind Hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  The abdominal CT images of 16 patients (12 men, 4 women: mean age 49 +/- 17SD) with pathologically proven GISTs during 1998-2005 were retrospectively reviewed. The tumor sites, sizes, borders, growth patterns, patterns of enhancement, and sign of malignancy were evaluated. The findings of benign and malignant GISTs were compared.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among sixteen patients, the most common location of GISTs was stomach (56.25%). The others were small bowel (43.75%), and tumor size larger than 5 cm. The present study found that the smooth and mixed smooth and irregular surface lesions are equal in number (50%). The growth was extraluminal in 56.25%. Almost all tumors had inhomogeneous density (n = 15). Intratumoral gas (43.75%), fluid (37.5%), and calcification (50.00%), were present in the tumors. All cases showed inhomogeneous contrast enhancement. The CT signs of malignancy found were invasion of the adjacent organ(s) (62.5%), lymphadenopathy (25%), liver metastasis/nodule (18.75%), ascites (6.25%), perilesional fat plane stranding (93.75%), and pleural effusion (6.25%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The most common site of GISTs is the stomach. The typical tumors appear as inhomogeneous enhancing inhomogeneous extraluminal mass with either well-defined or irregular border. The CT findings cannot be used as a single tool for differentiating the benign from malignant GISTs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand. nittayachamadol@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Nittaya
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Chamadol
authors.forename: Vallop
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Laopaiboon
authors.forename: Julaluck
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Promsorn
authors.forename: Vajarapongsa
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Bhudhisawasd
authors.forename: Ake
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pagkhem
authors.forename: Chawalit
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pairojkul
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D046152:Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D055815:Young Adult