Urgent Rare Surgical Complication Assessment of Intestinal Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors

Abstract

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are rare mesenchymal subepithelial tumors originating from abnormal proliferation of interstitial cells of Cajal, with worldwide incidence of about 1–2 per 100,000. Herein, we report an unusual case of a 55-year-old man who presented a severe digestive hemorrhage as a rare post-surgical complication after intestinal GIST surgical removal. The patient was admitted to the Emergency Department of our center affected by abdominal epigastric pain. Different imaging techniques were performed leading to the final diagnosis of a GIST and surgical intervention planning. Immediately after intervention the patient developed a severe intestinal hemorrhage. Multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) confirmed the ongoing bleeding and the patient underwent a new intervention to control the hemorrhage. The aim of the paper is to show the different imaging techniques used to assess GIST. MDCT represents the gold standard for diagnosis and in the emergency setting is used to identify post-surgical complications.