Carcinoid tumor of small intestine; a radiological diagnosis

ABSTRACT

Carcinoid tumors are most common primary tumors of small-bowel and appendix. These are characteristically slowly growing tumors that may go unrecognized for many years. The diagnosis is typically not made until the patient undergoes imaging and exploratory surgery. We reported the CT findings of a carcinoid tumor of small intestine [ileum] in our patient. CT showed focal non-calcified mesenteric mass surrounded by thickened mesentery with stellate radiating pattern [desmoplastic reaction]; retraction/ shortening of small bowel mesentery was also noted resulting into the kinking of ileal loops with segmental thickening of adjacent loops. A low density lymphadenopathy was also noted; however no liver metastases were seen. These findings were classically suggestive of carcinoid tumor of the ileal loops