[Computed tomography diagnosis of small intestine carcinoid]

This study was aimed at evaluating CT diagnostic capabilities in detecting carcinoid tumors of the small bowel and comparing CT results with conventional radiographic findings. The CT diagnosis of carcinoid tumor was made in 6 cases based on CT findings. All patients had undergone conventional radiographs (transit or double-contrast studies of the small intestine) and 2 patients had undergone double-contrast barium enema of the colon. 500 ml of oral contrast medium were administered 2 hours, 1 hour and 15 minutes before CT scans, respectively. A hypotonic agent was injected i.v. immediately before the examination. Primary lesion extent, mesenteric involvement, extramesenteric lymph nodes and hepatic metastases were the investigated CT patterns. The first two variables were also assessed on plain radiographs. In all patients the diagnosis of enteric carcinoid tumor was confirmed at surgery or liver biopsy. CT proved to be useful in demonstrating the primary tumor in 5 cases, mesenteric involvement in all patients, liver metastases in 3, lymphadenopathy in none. CT yielded very accurate findings and thus allowed the diagnosis of carcinoid tumor to be made in all the 6 patients, while plain films resulted normal in 2 cases and aspecific in 4. In conclusion, CT, if adequately performed, proved the best technique to detect carcinoid tumors of the small bowel. Of course, further evidence is required.