IMAGING OF GASTROINTESTINAL MALIGNANCY IN CHILDHOOD

Gastrointestinal malignancies in children are a rare and diverse group of neoplasms. Presenting signs and symptoms are nonspecific, but age at presentation and the presence of an elevated serum alpha-fetoprotei n can provide helpful clues in tailoring a differential diagnosis. The role of imaging is to localize and characterize the tumor and define resectability. Plain films, ultrasound, and CT scans are the primary m odalities employed, with MR imaging utilized in equivocal cases.