Imaging Characteristics of Gastric Lipomas in 16 Adult and Pediatric Patients

The purpose of our study was to evaluate the clinical, pathologic, and imaging characteristics of gastric lipomas in 16 patients and to compare them with the characteristics of gastric lipomas described in previous reports in the literature. We believe that our study was the largest series that has been reported. Of the 13 patients who had upper gastrointestinal examinations, seven had findings of smooth submucosal masses with ulcerations or depressions. These findings overlap with those of a gastrointestinal stroma tumor and lymphoma. CT findings were specific for the diagnosis of lipoma in eight of nine patients. CT should be used to evaluate large submucosal masses in the stomach to establish a preoperative diagnosis.