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Gastro-intestinal stromal tumor (GIST): case report
S Occhionorelli1, M Mitaritonno, A Pennella
1Dipartimento di Metodologia Clinica a Tecnologie Medico, Chirurgiche Sezione di Chirurgia Generale, Università degli Studi di Bari.
Il Giornale Di Chirurgia
|April 4, 2001
Summary
Gastro-intestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are rare in the small bowel, but can cause emergencies like obstruction. This case highlights a malignant GIST presenting as ileal invagination, requiring surgical diagnosis.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Surgical Oncology
- Pathology
Background:
- Gastro-intestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are the most common mesenchymal neoplasms of the gastrointestinal tract, originating from interstitial cells of Cajal.
- GISTs exhibit diverse differentiation pathways, leading to diagnostic challenges and classification into leiomyomas, schwannomas, and GISTs based on immunohistochemical and ultrastructural studies.
Observation:
- GISTs are uncommon in the small intestine, often presenting asymptomatically but capable of causing surgical emergencies such as bleeding, obstruction, intussusception, or perforation.
- Malignant GISTs have a higher prevalence in the small bowel compared to other gastrointestinal sites.
Findings:
- The authors present a case of a malignant GIST in the small intestine causing bowel obstruction due to ileal invagination.
- Diagnosis in this case, typical for malignant GISTs, was confirmed intraoperatively during abdominal surgical exploration.
Implications:
- This case underscores the importance of considering GISTs in the differential diagnosis of small bowel obstruction, particularly in cases with unclear etiology.
- Early recognition and surgical intervention are crucial for managing symptomatic GISTs, especially malignant variants, to prevent life-threatening complications.