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Abstract

Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors (GISTs) are mesenchymal tumors that arise from precursors of the connective tissue cells of the gastrointestinal tract. The aim of this study was to review the role of MDCT in detection and characterization of GISTS with pathological correlation. MATERIALS AND METHOD: 22 patients suspected of having GIST were examined using 64 slice MDCT over a period of 2 years. Two radiologists reviewed the CT findings by consensus with respect to lesion size, contour, tumor enhancing pattern, mesenteric fat infiltration, ulceration, calcification, lymphadenopathy, local and distant metastasis. RESULTS: In this study 12 patients were confirmed on biopsy as having GIST, 11 patients underwent surgery and were started on Glivec(Imatinib), 2 patients had a recurrence and 1 patient was treated by chemo-embolization for hepatic metastasis. CONCLUSION: The increasing recognition of GISTs and prolonged survival has made imaging increasingly important not only for diagnosis but also for monitoring the effects of treatment and detecting tumor progression. CT is the imaging modality of choice for these purposes.Key words: GIST, MDCT