Oesophageal GIST: MDCT Findings of Two Cases and Review of the Literature

The imaging findings of a gastrointestinal stromal tumour (GIST) have been investigated in various studies; however, the features and the pattern of growth of an oesophageal GIST have been described only in a few reports. We present two cases studied by multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) and we review the literature.

We describe the diagnostic course and the pattern of presentation at MDCT of two GISTs arising from the oesophageal wall that show two different behaviours and prognosis. We review the literature comparing the features of an oesophageal GIST to the more frequent gastric or intestinal GISTs, evaluating the role of MDCT in the diagnosis and in the follow-up.

Oesophageal GISTs are uncommon, with less than 5% of all reported cases originating from this site of the GI tract. In our experience, the CT features of the two oesophageal GISTs appeared comparable to the imaging findings of the gastrointestinal stromal tumours of the stomach and of the small bowel, as these neoplasms show signs and a pattern of growth that are fairly characteristic. As reported in literature and appear in our experience, MDCT has an important role in the diagnostic course and in staging the disease even if a definitive diagnosis can be only made with the support of an immunohistochemical examination. In addition, MDCT is extremely useful in monitoring patients surgically or pharmacologically treated in order to evaluate the response to the therapy and the possibility of a progression of the disease.