[The role of computerized tomography in the study of duodenal carcinoma]

Seven patients suffering from carcinoma of the lower portion of duodenum were examined by means of CT. Water was used as oral contrast medium. In all patients CT showed parietal thickening in the lesion site, with hyperdense (4 cases) or isodense (3 cases) patterns with respect to adjacent normal walls; irregularities on the inner surface were also demonstrated. CT correctly staged the tumor in 5/7 patients (70%), showing pancreatic infiltration in 5 cases--in 1 case associated with hepatic metastases--, vena caval infiltration in 1 patient, and right anterior pararenal fascia involvement in 1 case. In 2 patients the relationship between duodenal carcinoma and pancreas could not be evaluated. CT is suggested for the patients with suspected neoplastic pathologic conditions of the duodenum thanks to its capabilities of showing extraparietal lesion spread, as well as adjacent organs infiltration, adjacent vessels involvement, and distant metastases.