Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumours of the Small Bowel—Computed Tomography Appearance, Angiographic Features, and Potential Pitfalls in Digital Subtraction Angiography

CT Wong, YW Lee, LWC Ho, KH Pay, HYH Huang

Hong Kong J Radiol 2002;5:197-201

Gastrointestinal stromal tumours are neoplasms that were formerly misnamed as smooth muscle tumours of the gastrointestinal tract (leiomyomas and leiomyosarcomas). The diagnosis and localisation of these tumours as a cause of bleeding from the small bowel is often difficult. This article reviews the characteristics of gastrointestinal stromal tumours, with emphasis on their computed tomography appearance and angiographic features, as well as the potential pitfalls in digital subtraction angiography.