A case report of gastrointestinal stromal tumor of the duodenum

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) rarely occur in the duodenum, and only a few cases have been reported. Its clinical manifestations are not specific, and the imaging examination results are not typical, so a preoperative diagnosis is difficult. Pathologic examinations and genetic testing after surgical resection are the main diagnostic methods. Here, a case of duodenal stromal tumor complicated by gastrointestinal perforation is reported. A 57-year-old man presented with paroxysmal abdominal pain and bloating for 7 days. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography of the abdomen revealed a large mass (10 cm in diameter) in the right upper abdomen, which was considered neoplastic. The mass was anterior and inferior to the head of the pancreas, and medial to the mesenteric vessels. The tumor surrounded the descending and horizontal parts of the duodenum, and it ruptured into the lumen of the descending duodenum. After the patient underwent tumor resection, we found a rupture of the descending duodenal opening. After that, duodenal fistula drainage, gastrostomy, jejunostomy, small intestinal adhesion release and abdominal irrigation drainage were performed. Immunohistochemical staining results were as follows: CD34 (-), desmin (-), S-100 (-), CD117 (9.7) (+), DoG-1 (+), SDHB (+), Ki-67 (+5%). Based on these results, the lesion was finally diagnosed as duodenal GIST. The patient underwent surgical resection without targeted therapy and recovered well.

Duodenal stromal tumors often present with gastrointestinal bleeding and other clinical symptoms, requiring urgent surgery. Complete resection of the tumor is an effective surgical method. Extended resection does not prolong survival. However, surgical treatment should be determined according to the size and location of the tumor and its relationship to the pancreas. This highly malignant duodenal stromal tumor was >10 cm, accompanied by gastrointestinal perforation and necrosis. Surgical resection was required while protecting the organ function.