Small Bowel Neoplasms: A Pictorial Review

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Radiology
• Oncology

Background:

• Small bowel tumors are rare, comprising about 3% of gastrointestinal tumors in the US.
• The incidence of small bowel neoplasms, especially carcinoid tumors, is rising.
• Increased cross-sectional imaging and advanced techniques contribute to higher detection rates.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the imaging features of common benign and malignant small bowel neoplasms.
• To aid radiologists in the diagnosis and characterization of small bowel tumors.
• To improve diagnostic accuracy by correlating imaging findings with gross pathology.

Main Methods:

• Review of imaging features of small bowel neoplasms at CT and MRI.
• Emphasis on optimal small bowel distention for enhanced visualization.
• Correlation of imaging findings with gross specimen characteristics.

Main Results:

• Small bowel neoplasms often present with nonspecific clinical manifestations, leading to diagnostic challenges.
• Characteristic imaging features exist for various small bowel neoplasms on CT and MRI.
• Many small bowel tumors are asymptomatic and discovered incidentally.

Conclusions:

• Understanding specific imaging features is crucial for accurate diagnosis of small bowel tumors.
• CT and MRI play a vital role in characterizing small bowel neoplasms.
• Radiologists' familiarity with these features can improve patient management and outcomes.