Occult small-bowel tumours: Their diagnostic features and management

Abstract

The clinical and radiological features of 7 smallbowel tumours are described. The presentation of such tumours is usually insidious, with vague dyspepsia, occult intestinal bleeding, and episodes of subacute intestinal obstruction. However, when growth is predominantly extraluminal the lesions are more likely to present as perforations or abdominal masses. In jejunal lesions resection is dangerous because the tumours encroach on the middle colic and superior mesenteric vesels. Furthermore, the position makes anastomosis technically difficult. Greater clinical awareness, improved radiological definition of the small intestine, and a willingness to undertake exploratory laparotomy are the features most likely to improve the prognosis of these tumours.