OBJECTIVETo investigate the features of tumor appearance on transabdominal color doppler ultrasonography (CDUS) and its diagnostic value in the differential diagnosis between intestinal stromal tumor and intestinal carcinoma.

METHODSThe preoperative features of the tumor mass on CDUS were reviewed retrospectively in 25 patients with intestinal stromal tumor and in 30 with intestinal carcinoma. All the cases were confirmed by surgery and pathological examination.

RESULTSOf the 25 cases with intestinal stromal tumor, 23 (92%) were found to be located in the small intestine and the majority presented as a hypoechoic solid mass with clear demarcation and rich color flow signals on CDUS, not growing around the intestinal cavity. A heterogeneous echogenic mass with anechoic space was shown in some stromal tumors. The CDUS showed that carcinoma were all in the colon or the rectum, and showed heterogeneous echoic solid masses with ill-defined margin, few color flow signals and pseudokidney sign was often observed in intestinal carcinoma because the mass grew around the intestinal cavity. Internal echo pattern, the relation between mass and intestinal cavity, and color doppler flow signal of intestinal stromal tumors were significantly different from those of intestinal carcinomas (all P<0.05). There were no statistical differences in lymphatic metastasis (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONCDUS is an effective method to differentiate intestinal stromal tumor from carcinoma.