Carcinoid tumors of the small-bowel: Evaluation with 64-section CT-enteroclysis

Purpose

To describe the imaging presentation of carcinoid tumors of the small-bowel at 64-section CT-enteroclysis and determine the sensitivity of this technique for tumor detection.

Patients and methods

The 64-section CT-enteroclysis examinations of 22 patients with histopathologically proven small-bowel carcinoid tumors and those of 6 patients with suspected recurrence after small-bowel resection for carcinoid tumor were reviewed. Images were analyzed with respect to imaging presentation. Sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy, of 64-section CT-enteroclysis for the diagnosis of carcinoid tumor of the small-bowel were estimated with 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

Results

Twenty-five carcinoid tumors were confirmed in 22 patients (prevalence, 22/28; 79%). Overall sensitivity for carcinoid tumor detection was 76% (19/25; 95%CI: 55–91%) on a per-lesion basis. On a per-patient basis, 64-section CT-enteroclysis had a sensitivity of 86% (19/22; 95%CI: 65–97%), a specificity of 100% (6/6; 95%CI: 54–100%) and an accuracy of 89% (25/28; 95%CI: 72–98%) for the diagnosis of carcinoid tumor. Focal small-bowel wall thickening, mesenteric stranding, and mesenteric mass were found in 20/22 (91%), 18/22 (82%) and 15/22 (68%) patients with pathologically confirmed tumors.

Conclusion

64-Section CT-enteroclysis shows highly suggestive features for the diagnosis of carcinoid tumor of the small-bowel and achieves high degrees of sensitivity for tumor detection.