Computed tomographic detection of nonbeta pancreatic islet cell tumors

Twenty-five patients with nonbeta pancreatic islet cell tumors were examined by computed tomography (CT). In eight patients (32%), the primary pancreatic tumor was identified, and in ten patients (40%), hepatic metastases were seen. Only one of the eight tumors seen on CT was loager tha 10 cm; the other seven ranged from 4 to 9 cm in diameter. Tumors in ectopic locations or possible cellular hyperplasia rather than a discrete tumor may account for the relative insensitivity of CT visualization, particularly among patients with Zollinger-Ellison syndrome.