Computed tomography of abdominal carcinoid tumor

Computed tomography of the abdomen was performed in 10 patients with pathologically proven carcinoid tumor. In four patients numerous tiny punctate and radiating densities were seen in the mesentery. Two of these patients also had rounded mesenteric masses, 2.5-5 cm in diameter. The presence of punctate or radiating mesenteric densities reflecting desmoplastic reaction, when combined with rounded mesenteric masses or liver metastases, is highly suggestive of carcinoid tumor. The CT appearance of the hepatic metastases in this group of patients was also assessed and found to be nonspecific.