CALCIFICATION AND FIBROSIS IN MESENTERIC CARCINOID-TUMOR - CT FINDINGS AND PATHOLOGICAL CORRELATION

OBJECTIVE. The purposes of this study were to determine the frequency and characteristics of calcification and fibrosis in mesenteric carcin oid tumor as seen on CT scans and to evaluate their possible role in d iagnosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS. The CT findings in 29 cases of proved mesenteric carcinoid tumor were analyzed retrospectively. Tumors were assessed for size, margin, density, radiating strands, calcification, and associated thickening of the small-bowel wall, Matching histologi c sections were available for 21 of the cases. They were reviewed inde pendently for histologic pattern, degree of fibrosis, degree of infilt ration along neurovascular bundles, necrosis, lymph node architecture, and calcification or ossification within the mass. CT and pathologic findings were then assessed for possible relationships. RESULTS. Calci fication was detected by CT in 70% (21 of 30) of mesenteric masses. Th ree patterns of calcification were noted: small, stippled calcificatio n (n = 11); coarse, dense calcification (n = 7); and diffuse calcifica tion (n = 3). All calcification was localized within areas of poorly c ellular mature fibrous tissue, The degree of radiating strands detecte d by CT tended to increase with the degree of fibrosis seen histopatho logically (p=.06). CONCLUSION. Calcification in mesenteric carcinoid t umors was observed by CT in most cases of this series, The triad of a calcified mesenteric mass, radiating strands, and adjacent bowel-wall thickening should be considered highly suggestive of carcinoid tumor.