Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumours: Role of Computed Tomography in Predicting Tumour Behaviour

Objective: To describe the clinical and imaging features of the gastrointestinal stromal tumours and the role of computed tomography in predicting malignant potential. Methods:The medical records and imaging features of the patients diagnosed with gastrointestinal stromal tumours at our institution were reviewed retrospectively. Imaging features were correlated with their clinical course, including the presence or subsequent development of metastatic disease. Results:In all, 28 patients (mean age, 65.2 years) with pathologically proven gastrointestinal stromal tumours were included in the study. The stomach was the most common site followed by small bowel. The mean tumour diameter was 7.5 cm. Metastatic disease developed in nine patients. Computed tomography showed necrotic masses (n = 8) and heterogeneous contrast enhancement (n = 17). Large tumour size, heterogeneous enhancement and necrosis were independently associated with an increased risk of metastatic disease. Conclusion: Gastrointestinal stromal tumours have fairly characteristic imaging features on computed tomography and the diagnosis can be suggested by imaging features. Computed tomography is potentially a valuable tool in the initial evaluation of such tumours and predicting their potential for malignant behaviour.