Gastrointestinal Autonomic Nerve Tumor (GA NT) in Small Intestine

ABSTRACT

Gastrointestinal autonomic nerve tumors (GANTs) represent a newly described entity, which are stromal tumors of the gastrointestinal tract, with neuronal differentiation. They are CD117 (c-kit) immunoreactive neoplasms and are often immunoreactive for S100 protein, synaptophysin, and CD34. Ultrastructural examination provides the definitive distinguishing features for diagnosing a GANT. The presence of electron-dense granules, or small vesicles, suggests the presence of postganglionic neurotransmitter vesicles. We experienced a 65-year-old female patient who complained of bloody diarrhea, and a 75-year-old male patient who complained of melena. They were diagnosed with a gastrointestinal stromal tumor by an abdominal CT and operation, and were diagnosed as GANT pathologically. Thus we report two cases of a gastrointestinal autonomic nerve tumor, with a review of the relevant literatures.