The CT findings and its pathological basis of gastrointestinal neuroendocrine tumors / 实用放射学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the CT findings and its pathological basis of gastrointestinal neuroendocrine tumors (GEP-NETs ). Methods The CT findings of 23 patients with GEP-NETs confirmed by pathology were analyzed retrospectively and compared with the pathological results.Results The GEP-NETs were found on CT in 20 patients,including focal gastrointestinal wall thickening in 4,mass formation in 6,and both in 10.The tumor diameter ranged from 0.9 cm to 5.2 cm with a mean value of (2.6±0.6)cm. Plain CT showed homogenous isodensity in 15 lesions,little necrosis with low density in 4,and hemorrhage with high density in 1. The dynamic contrast-enhanced CT showed the tumors with obvious enhancement in 16 cases and mild enhancement in 4 in arterial phase.In addition,serosa invasion was found in 7,enlargement of mesentery lymph node in 7,and liver metastases in 2.The pathol-ogy showed the location of submucosa and invasion of the tumors.Most small tumors had intact gastrointestinal mucosa,and some large ones had surface or infiltrated ulcer.Conclusion Some specific CT findings of GEP-NETs depend on its pathological character-istics.CT plays an important role in assessment of invasion extent and metastasis of the tumor.