US AND CT FINDINGS OF SMALL-BOWEL NEOPLASMS

Small bowel (SE) neoplasms are very rare tumours but are still associa ted with high mortality rates, since the tumour-related symptoms occur late and are non-specific. In addition, endoscopy is not feasible in most cases, and radiological contrast studies do not reach the high ac curacy obtained in the evaluation of upper and lower gastrointestinal tract. Cross-sectional imaging, and particularly CT,is becoming increa singly relevant in the diagnosis of these rumours. Both US and CT allo w tumour detection, even when performed on an emergency basis, and are capable of showing the lesion as well as possible complications. More over, CT offers the possibility of a preoperative staging by evaluatin g tumour extension through the bowel wall, lymph node involvement and possible metastases. Finally, in most cases a direct correlation betwe en cross-sectional findings and histology can be found, thus permittin g tumour characterisation.