Primary small bowel tumors: a radiologic-pathologic correlation

Background. Primary small bowel tumors are rare and their preoperative diag nosis is unsatisfactory. The cornerstone of diagnosis remains contrast radi ography. The present study was done to evaluate the radiologic findings of primary small bowel tumors as shown on enteroclysis and to correlate these observations with surgical and histopathologic findings. Methods: Seventy two patients with primary small bowel tumors identified by enteroclysis were evaluated. All the patients were subjected to jejunal bi opsy or surgery. The diagnosis was established by histopathologic examinati on in all cases. Results. Radiologic findings were suggestive of benign tumors in 19 patient s and malignant tumors in 31 patients. Nonspecific findings in the form of diffuse involvement of the small bowel were noted in 22 patients. There was 100% radiologic-surgical correlation. Leiomyomas and lymphomas were the mo st common benign and malignant tumors, respectively. Tumor specificities we re 89.5% for benign tumors and 41.5% for malignant tumors. Conclusion: Distinctive morphologic patterns as shown on enteroclysis are h ighly suggestive of specific tumor types in the majority of cases.