1189 Gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST): computed tomographic features and correlation of CT findings with histologic grade.

OBJECTIVE: To characterize the CT features and to identify predictors of malignancy from CT of GISTs.

MATERIAL AND METHOD: A retrospective review of CT images of 50 patients with pathologically and immunohistochemically proven GISTs was done by two radiologists and final interpretations were reached by consensus. Images were evaluated for site, size, contour boundary, growth pattern, enhancement pattern, degree of enhancement, necrosis, calcification, ulceration, perilesionalfat stranding, evidence ofbowel obstruction, and signs of malignancy. Categorical variables were compared using Fisher's exact test and continuous variables used the t-test. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were used to identify significant predictors ofa high mitotic rate.

RESULTS: Of the 50 patients, the most common location of GISTs was stomach (62%) The mean size was 10.2 cm (SD 5.2 cm). The contour was lobulated in 84%. The boundary was smooth in 84%. The growth pattern was exophytic in 68%. Most of tumors had heterogeneous density on post-contrast images (88%). Necrosis (84%), calcification (14%), ulceration (40%), perilesionalfat stranding (44%), and bowel obstruction (2%) were present in the tumors. The CT signs of malignancy found were adjacent organ invasion (18%), ascites (18%), lymphadenopathy (6%), liver metastasis (20%), andperitoneal seeding (16%). Necrosis and peritoneal seeding were statistically significant independent predictors for high mitotic GISTs in multivariate logistic regression (p<0.05). The probability of a high mitotic rate was 1 (95% CI, 0.40-1.00) in the presence of both necrosis and peritoneal seeding.

CONCLUSION: The stomach was the most common site of GIST The CT features of GIST were lobulated, smooth tumor margins, exophytic growth pattern, and heterogeneous enhancement on post-contrast CT images. Presence of both necrosis and peritoneal seeding were found to be a significant predictor of high mitotic rate of GISTs. The probability of a high mitotic rate was 1 (95% CI, 0.40-1.00).