CYSTIC ISLET-CELL TUMORS - RADIOLOGIC FINDINGS IN 3 CASES

We report three cases of cystic islet cell tumors, two caused by gastr inomas and the other by an islet cell carcinoma. All three patients un derwent computed tomography (CT) and angiography and two also had magn etic resonance (MR) imaging. Several common radiographic findings were present as follows: thickening of the cyst wall and irregularity of t he inner surface on postcontrast CT and MR images, neovascularity and a densely staining hypervascular rim on angiography, and moderately in creased signal intensity of the cyst content on T1-weighted MR images, which indicated fluid containing blood and/or necrotic tissue. These findings are helpful in defining the nature of these lesions and stron gly suggest that cystic islet cell tumor should be included in the dif ferential diagnosis.