Introduction
Small bowel tumors are rare. They comprise 3 to 6% of gastrointestinal tract neoplasms.[1] The diagnosis of small bowel tumors is delayed by the nonspecific nature of the
symptoms (abdominal pain, weight loss, gastrointestinal bleeding) and low clinical
suspicion.[2] The small bowel neoplasms can present with complications like intussusception, obstruction,
and perforation.[3] Thus, early diagnosis is desirable by accurate interpretation of radiologic findings.
The occurrence of small bowel tumors is more in the proximal small bowel in comparison
to the distal small bowel.[4] The different segments of the small bowel have predilection for specific histologic
subtypes tumors, for example, adenocarcinoma is more common in the duodenum and jejunum,
and carcinoid tumor is more common in the ileum.[1] The risk factors for malignant small bowel tumors are alcohol, tobacco, chronic
inflammatory diseases including celiac disease and Crohn's disease, human immunodeficiency
virus infection, certain foods (e.g., red meat, smoked, salty, and fatty food), and
inherited syndromes including Peutz-Jeghers syndrome (PJS), hereditary nonpolyposis
colorectal cancer, and familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP).[5]
[6]
[7]
[8]
[9]
Benign small bowel tumors comprise 0.5 to 2% of all gastrointestinal neoplasms.[10] Benign small bowel tumors are generally solitary. Multiple tumors are seen in polyposis
syndromes.[11] Primary malignant small bowel tumors are less common than benign neoplasms.[4] The malignant small bowel tumors generally have poor prognosis due to delayed presentation.
As small bowel can tolerate mild obstruction, patients usually present late when at
least two-thirds of the lumen is obstructed.[12]
At imaging, benign small bowel tumors usually appear round and well circumscribed
with smooth margins. The malignant tumors have irregular margins with heterogeneous
enhancement and may be associated with invasion of adjacent structures.
In general, the imaging detection of small bowel is challenging due to bowel peristalsis,
mobility of abdominal structures, respiratory motion, nonuniform distension with luminal
agents, and lack of contrast between normal bowel tissue and mass.[13] Plain radiograph has no role in patients with small bowel tumors except when they
present in emergency with features of small bowel obstruction and perforation. Ultrasound
also has limited role in detection of small bowel tumors. However, in patients at
high risk of small bowel tumors like polyposis syndrome, celiac disease, or Crohn's
disease, ultrasound evaluation of small bowel may be facilitated by luminal distension
using protocols similar to computed tomography enterography (CTE). Barium meal follow
through is not considered reliable for the detection of small bower tumors. CT is
the widely used modality for imaging of small bowel tumors due to its availability
and its speed of acquisition. Furthermore, CT is less susceptible to motion artifacts
and provides excellent spatial resolution.[13] However, the ionizing radiation exposure and the need for intravenous iodinated
contrast agent are the major limitations of CT. CTE protocol is the preferred technique
for suspected small bowel tumors.[14]
[15] Patients should have at least 4 to 6 hour fasting status before the study.[16] Oral contrast is administered for adequate distention of the lumen. Neutral oral
contrasts are preferred to positive oral contrast.[17] These provide better delineation of mucosal enhancement, mural thickness, and mesenteric
vasculature.[18] A few studies have evaluated a novel CT technique employing carbon dioxide instillation
(virtual CT endoscopy) for the evaluation of small bowel lesions including tumors.[19]
[20] MR enterography is an alternative to CTE. The key benefit of MR enterography is
the absence of ionizing radiation. This makes MRI particularly attractive for imaging
in children and for repeat examination. However, the limitations include long acquisition
time, limited availability, and a relative higher cost.[21]
In comparison to cross-sectional imaging, endoscopy (or enteroscopy) and capsule endoscopy
are better for the detection of small intraluminal tumors.[15] However, a study reported better sensitivity of CTE over capsule endoscopy for the
detection of submucosal lesions.[22] Though with the current state of the art endoscopy techniques, the entire small
bowel can be evaluated, endoscopic techniques do not provide information regarding
the extramural extent of the diseases.[3]
[13] The various imaging techniques utilized in evaluation of small bowel tumors are
listed in [Table 1]. The various benign and malignant small bowel tumors are mentioned in [Table 2].
Table 1
Various diagnostic modalities for small bowel tumors
Endoluminal
(invasive/semi-invasive)
|
Radiological (noninvasive)
|
Fluoroscopic
|
Cross-sectional imaging
|
Upper GI endoscopy
Colonoscopy
Push enteroscopy
Balloon enteroscopy
Balloon enteroscopy
Endoscopic ultrasound
Capsule endoscopy
|
SBFT
SBE
|
CT enterography
MR enterography
PET-CT
PET-CT Enterography
Virtual CT Endoscopy
|
Abbreviations: CT, computed tomography; MR, magnetic resonance; GI, gastrointestinal;
PET-CT, positron emission tomography-computed tomography; SBE, small bowel enteroclysis;
SBFT, small bowel follow through.
Table 2
Various benign and malignant small bowel tumors
Benign
|
Malignant
|
Lipoma
Polyp
Leiomyoma
Gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST)
Inflammatory fibroid polyp
Hemangioma
|
Adenocarcinoma
Lymphoma
Neuroendocrine tumor
Malignant GIST
Metastasis
Gastrointestinal Neuroectodermal tumors
|
Benign Small Bowel Tumors
Lipoma
Despite being a rare tumor, small bowel lipoma is the most common benign lesion of
the bowel causing intussusception in adults. Lipoma arises from submucosa and consists
of mature adipose tissue surrounded by a thin capsule. Lipoma is usually sessile;
however, it can be pedunculated. Almost 50% of lipomas are found in the ileum, and
less than 50% of patients with small bowel lipoma are symptomatic.[23] Lesions more than 2 cm in diameter can be symptomatic and may cause bowel obstruction
or gastrointestinal bleeding.[24] Small bowel lipoma has no malignant potential.
On gastrointestinal contrast studies, lipomas have characteristic appearance and demonstrate
mobility. They produce a solitary smooth intraluminal filling defect. They demonstrate
a pseudopedicle at their tip.[25] CT and MRI features are diagnostic. A well-defined homogeneous mass with fat attenuation
(−40 to −120 HU) on CT is seen ([Fig. 1]).[12] The MRI findings of small bowel lipoma include homogeneous signal intensity corresponding
to macroscopic fat without contrast enhancement.[13]
Fig. 1 Lipoma: Axial (A) and coronal sections (B) of contrast-enhanced computed tomography abdomen showing a well-defined fat attenuation
lesion in second part of duodenum (white arrows).
Polyp
Polyps comprise one-fifth of the benign small bowel neoplasms.[26] Polyps generally are asymptomatic. However, polyps can lead to obstruction or intussusception
when they grow large enough. Pathologic subtypes are hamartomatous, hyperplastic,
adenomatous, and inflammatory.[13] Polyps can be solitary or multiple. Numerous polyps are seen in inherited syndromes
([Fig. 2]). Polyps appear as small (<2 cm), homogenously enhancing masses which protrude into
the bowel lumen.[11] The adenomatous subtype has increased risk of malignant transformation and is associated
with polyposis syndromes. Adenomatous polyps are seen in patients with FAP. Hamartomatous
polyps are associated with juvenile polyposis syndrome, PJS, and Cowden syndrome.[27] Cronkhite–Canada syndrome is an acquired nonfamilial polyposis syndrome that is
characterized by gastrointestinal polyposis, onycholysis, cutaneous pigmentation,
and alopecia.[28] The risk of malignant transformation is higher for tumors more than 1 cm.[23] Size greater than 2 cm and extraserosal extension are highly suggestive of malignant
degeneration within a polyp.[29]
Fig. 2 Polyps: (A) Endoscopic image showing multiple polyps and (B) involvement of fingernails in Cronkhite-Canada syndrome; (C) Axial computed tomography (CT) enterography showing well-defined round homogenously
enhancing polyp in the jejunal lumen (arrow); (D) Circumoral muco-cutaneous pigmentation; (E) Barium meal follow through showing round filling defects (consistent with polyps)
in the antrum of stomach (arrows) and (F) Coronal CT enterography section showing multiple enhancing polyps within the small
and large bowel (arrows).
Leiomyoma
Leiomyoma is a rare tumor. It is more common in the jejunum than the ileum.[30] Clinical presentation is due to tumor ulceration and bleeding, causing abdominal
pain, gastrointestinal bleeding, and chronic anemia. At CT and MRI, it appears as
a well-defined homogeneously enhancing mass. Calcification and ulceration may occur
in larger tumors.[31] Imaging features may be indistinguishable from gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST).
Larger tumors (>6 cm) with irregular margins and lymphadenopathy should cause suspicion
for malignancy.[30]
GIST
GISTs are the most frequent mesenchymal tumor arising from gastrointestinal tract.[32] More than one-third of the GISTs arise in the small bowel. They are more common
in the proximal small bowel.[33] GISTs arise from the interstitial cells of Cajal and are characterized by c-KIT (CD117) expression.[32] Other mutations include platelet derived growth factor receptor α, succinate dehydrogenase,
v-raf murine sarcoma viral oncogene homolog B1, and neurofibromatosis type 1.[33] They tend to have a wide spectrum of clinical behavior, ranging from benign tumors
(which are incidentally discovered) to malignant lesions with considerable overlap
in the imaging and microscopic features of both entities.[34] All GISTs are potentially malignant.[35]
[36]
At imaging, benign GISTs are indistinguishable from other mesenchymal tumors. They
are well-circumscribed lesions with a variable enhancement pattern. They commonly
extend exophytically from the bowel lumen. Calcification is a rare finding ([Fig. 3]).[37] Smaller lesions (< 2cm) appear as hyper-enhancing lesions. With increasing size,
there is development of necrosis in the tumor core. Larger lesions thus appear as
heterogeneously enhancing cavitating lesions. Although imaging features may not be
entirely reliable for distinguishing benign and malignant GISTs, larger masses with
necrosis, local invasion, and hemorrhage suggest malignant behavior.[38] Metastases in such cases commonly occur to the liver, omentum, or peritoneum ([Fig. 4]). Significant lymphadenopathy is not seen in these cases and favors other malignant
neoplasms like lymphoma or metastatic disease. The prognosis of GIST depending upon
CT features is mentioned in [Table 3].
Fig. 3 Gastrointestinal stromal tumors: (A) Hypervascular intraluminal mass (arrow) in the D-J flexure/proximal jejunum; (B, C): necrotic tumor involving distal jejunum on computed tomography (CT; arrow in B)
and ultrasound (arrow in C); (D) Axial contrast-enhanced CT abdomen showing hypoenhancing exophytic mass lesion arising
from stomach with multiple foci of calcification; (E and F) Axial and coronal images showing endophytic jejunal gastrointestinal stromal tumor.
Fig. 4 Malignant gastrointestinal stromal tumor: (A) Multiple liver metastases are seen (arrows). The cystic appearance of these lesions
is due to imatinib therapy. (B) Marked peritoneal thickening and nodularity (arrows) secondary to peritoneal metastases
is seen.
Table 3
Prognostic features of GIST on imaging
CT features
|
Prognosis
|
Site
Stomach
Duodenum
Ileum/jejunum
|
Favorable
Intermediate
Unfavorable
|
Size
<5cm
5–10 cm
>10 cm
|
Favorable
Intermediate
Unfavorable
|
Margin
Regular
Irregular
|
Favorable
Unfavorable
|
Homogeneous enhancement
|
Favorable
|
Hemorrhage
|
Unfavorable
|
Necrosis/cystic degeneration
|
Unfavorable
|
Air
|
Unfavorable
|
Abbreviations: CT, computed tomography; GIST, gastrointestinal stromal tumor.
Treatment for resectable GISTs is wide local excision. Systemic treatment in the form
of chemotherapy is often administered. Imaging features of GISTs change post-imatinib
therapy and include intralesional hemorrhage, cystic degeneration of tumor, and development
of ascites.[39] The radiologist must thus be aware of these changes and always acquire a multiphasic
CT following a noncontrast scan in follow-up patients with GIST on chemotherapy.[39]
Hemangioma
These rare submucosal tumors occur more commonly in the jejunum. They may be sessile
or pedunculated.[40] On CT, hemangioma appears as enhancing, intraluminal polypoid mass. On MR, hemangiomas
show marked T2-weighted hyperintensity with avid nodular enhancement in the arterial
phase.[41] The enhancement is retained in the delayed phase.
Malignant Small Bowel Neoplasms
Adenocarcinoma
Adenocarcinoma accounts for 25 to 40% of primary malignant tumors of the small bowel.[42]
[43] Proximal jejunum or distal duodenum is the most involved sits.[44] Presentation may be nonspecific or related to malignancy-induced gastrointestinal
bleeding or obstruction.
CT appearances include circumferential annular (apple core) mural thickening or eccentric
and irregular mass with luminal narrowing ([Fig. 5]).[45] There may be extension into adjacent fat, vascular invasion, lymphadenopathy, peritoneal
and distant metastases (most often to the liver).
Fig. 5 Adenocarcinoma: (A) Coronal computed tomography (CT) enterography image showing asymmetric enhancing
mural thickening (arow) involving distal jejunum causing intestinal obstruction; (B, C): Coronal and axial CT enterography image showing asymmetric mural thickening involving
the duodenum with adjacent invasion (arrow in B) and necrotic retroperitoneal lymph
nodes (arrow in C); (D, E): Enteroscopic images showing intraluminal polypoidal (D) and annular growth patterns (E).
Neuroendocrine Tumor
Gastrointestinal neuroendocrine tumors (GNET) originate from the enterochromaffin
cells within the gastro-entero-pancreatic system.[34] These are the second most common malignant tumors of the small bowel (20–25% of
malignant tumors).[46] One-third of GNETs originate from the small bowel.[47] Ileum is the most common site of involvement. The characteristic appearance of small
bowel GNET is a well-defined solitary avidly enhancing mural mass ([Fig. 6]). Smaller lesion may be missed on CT. MRI may allow detection of some of these lesions
due to better soft tissue resolution. Multiple GNETs occur in one-fourth of the patients
([Fig. 6]).[48] Carcinoid tumors may cause asymmetric or nodular mural thickening. The key to correct
diagnosis in these cases is the identification of spiculated (due to desmoplastic
reaction caused by secretion of serotonin) calcified mesenteric lesion with or without
liver metastases.[49]
[50] Mesenteric involvement by direct extension or via lymphatics occurs in approximately
40 to 80% of the cases. Mesenteric metastases calcify in 70% of the cases.[49] Differential diagnoses include treated lymphoma or retractile mesenteritis. Somatostatin-analog
imaging exams have an important role both in diagnosis and staging ([Fig. 6]). In-pentetreotide imaging (Octreoscan) has now been replaced by newer analogue
agents such as 18F-FDOPA and 68Ga-DOTATATE.[51]
Fig. 6 Neuroendocrine tumor: (A) Solitary hypervascular lesion within the duodenal lumen (arrow); (B) Coronal image showing multiple neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) in the stomach (white
arrows) and hypervascular lymph nodes (double headed white arrows), (C) Hypervascular NET in the duodenum with calcifications (arrow) with liver metastasis
(dashed arrow); (D, E): Somatostatin analogue positron emission tomography images showing avid lesions
in the mesentery (arrow); (F) Computed tomography enterography image showing spiculated hypoenhancing mesenteric
mass lesion (arrow).
Lymphoma
Primary gastrointestinal lymphoma is the most common form of extranodal lymphoma.[52] Diagnosis can be ascertained by the lack of peripheral or mediastinal lymphadenopathy,
normal white blood cell count, and differential leucocyte count without the involvement
of liver or spleen.[53] Ileum is the most common site of involvement due to abundant lymphoid tissue ([Fig. 7]). Lymphoma of the small bowel is categorized into five forms: pseudoaneurysmal,
polypoid, endoexoenteric, stenosing, and mesenteric ([Fig. 7]).[54] The most common type of small bowel lymphoma is the polypoidal form with single
or multiple polypoidal lesions protruding into the lumen.[55] This type of lymphoma may act as a lead point for intussusception. The pseudoaneurysmal
form involves the submucosa and muscularis layers causing mass-like mural thickening.
The lack of obstruction is due to complete replacement of the muscle layer with lymphoid
tissue.[54] The endoexoenteric form or the cavitatory form produces a large soft-tissue mass
communicating with the bowel lumen producing a characteristic air-contrast contrast
material level. Malignant GIST may produce a similar appearance.[12] The stenosing form of lymphoma is uncommon. It is usually encountered in patients
with celiac disease. This form occurs most commonly in the distal duodenum.[12] In the mesenteric form, tumor extends into the mesentery from the bowel wall.
Fig. 7 Lymphoma: (A–C): Coronal computed tomography enterography images showing heterogeneously enhancing
lesion in relation to terminal ileum (arrow). B: Asymmetric wall thickening involving terminal ileum (arrow); C: Circumferential mural thickening causing luminal stenosis in proximal ileum (arrow);
D: Asymmetric mural thickening with exophytic component in terminal ileum (arrow);
E: Ileo-colic intussusception secondary to lymphoma (arrow).
Immunophenotypically, lymphomas are of two types: B-cell and T-cell lymphoma. B-cell
lymphoma (diffuse large B-cell lymphoma) is the most common type and is usually present
is ileum, whereas T-cell lymphoma is usually associated with celiac disease and is
present commonly in jejunum and proximal ileum.[55] T-cell lymphoma is generally multifocal and may be associated with complication
like perforation.
On barium meal follow through, there is irregular wall thickening, fold effacement,
aneurysmal bowel dilatation, single, or multiple filling defects due to polypoid masses.
At CT and MRI, the imaging appearance of small bowel lymphoma parallels the morphological
forms described above. Extensive regional and distant adenopathy help in confirming
the diagnosis and from other neoplasms.
Differentiating lymphoma from primary adenocarcinoma can be challenging. The features
favoring lymphoma are distal site of involvement (ileum), marked homogeneous wall
thickening usually greater than 2 cm, multifocal involvement, and extensive lymphadenopathy.[12]
Metastasis
Metastasis to the small bowel is rare. Melanoma, lung cancer, and breast cancer are
the tumors that may show small bowel spread.[29] Small bowel metastases may be solitary or multiple with a variety of appearances.
At one end of the spectrum, they can mimic benign lesions with discrete, smoothly
marginated nodules showing homogenous enhancement. At the other end, there are large
mass with cavitation, invasion of adjacent structures, and intraperitoneal spread
([Fig. 8]).[56]
[57] Metastases must be suspected when a solid small bowel mass is seen in a patient
with malignancy known to metastasize to bowel.
Fig. 8 Small bowel metastases: (A) Multiple enhancing serosal deposits in a case of ovarian cancer; (B) Enteroscopic image showing intraluminal polypoidal hemorrhagic soft tissue mass
in jejunum in a patient with choriocarcinoma.
Mass-Like Small Bowel Lesions: Small Bowel Tumor Mimics ([Fig. 9])
Fig. 9 Neoplasms mimics: (A) Jejunal diverticulitis (arrow); (B, C): Dilated terminal ileum with mural thickening (B, arrow) and mural thickening involving
cecum with dilated terminal ileum (C, arrow) in a patient with ileocecal tuberculosis;
(D) Mural thickening involving jejunal loops in a patient with Henoch–Schonlein purpura.
Small Bowel Diverticulitis
Other than duodenal or Meckel's diverticulitis, small bowel diverticulitis is rare.
Jejunum is more commonly involved.[58] On CT, there is a thick-walled well-defined mass-like structure containing intestinal
contents (debris, fecal material, and gas). There is associated bowel wall thickening
and mesenteric fat stranding. In some patients, additional diverticulitis may also
be seen at other sites.[59]
[60]
Meckel's Diverticulum
Meckel's diverticulum is associated with several complications including diverticulitis,
perforation, enterolith formation, bowel obstruction, bleeding from ectopic gastric
mucosa, and neoplasm.[61] On CT, Meckel's diverticulum may be confused for a bowel origin mass, but evaluation
of serial thin sections reveals a visualized as a blind-ending, fluid, or debris-filled,
dilated mass-like structure in continuity with the ileum. CT enterography has higher
sensitivity in evaluating Meckel's diverticulum.[62]
Small Bowel Hematoma
Small bowel hematoma occurs in the setting of anticoagulation, coagulopathies, vasculitis,
trauma, and malignancy.[63]
[64] On CT, the thickened bowel shows mural hyperattenuation, and luminal narrowing.[12] The mural hyperattenuation in acute phase helps in the differentiation of small
bowel hematoma from other causes of bowel wall thickening.[65] With aging of the hematoma, the hyperdensity of the bowel may disappear. Complete
resolution of hematoma occurs over a few weeks.
The other differential diagnoses of small bowel tumors are mentioned in [Table 4].
Table 4
Differential diagnosis for small bowel tumor
Intramural hematoma
|
Anticoagulation, coagulopathy, trauma, vasculitis, mass-like, mural hyperattenuation
with luminal narrowing; spontaneous resolution
|
Small bowel diverticulitis
|
Elderly patients, jejunum, ovoid, mass-like structure containing air, fluid, lesion
with adjacent fat standing
|
Meckel's diverticulitis
|
Mass-like structure in continuity with small bowel
|
Eosinophilic gastroenteritis
|
Nodular/Irregular focal, segmental or diffuse thickening vs. lymphoma
|
Giardiasis/Whipple's disease
|
Fold thickening in duodenum and proximal jejunum
|
Localized lymphangiectasia
|
Low attenuation wall thickening of jejunum
|
Sclerosing mesenteritis
|
versus carcinoid
|