Preoperative evaluation of gastric adenocarcinoma: comparison of CT features with surgical and pathologic findings.

Purpose: The objective of our study was to reassess the value of CT scan in the preoperative evaluation of gastric adenocarcinoma, using surgical and pathologic findings as the reference standard. Materials and methods: Forty-five patients who had preoperative CT scan for gastric carcinoma were retrospectively included in the study. Images were analyzed by two readers working in consensus with respect to tumor detection, tumor location, depth of invasion, involvement of adjacent organs, lymph node involvement and presence of peritoneal carcinomatosis. Results. Gastric tumor was visible in 91% of cases. Accurate tumor localization was obtained in 50 % of cases. Depth of tumor penetration was correctly evaluated in 40 % of the: cases. Evaluation of regional and distant lymph node metastases was correct in 54% and 64% of cases, respectively. Peritoneal carcinomatosis was depicted in 17 % of cases. Conclusion. CT scan allows detection of gastric adenocarcinoma in the majority of cases. However, this technique markedly underscores the extent of gastric adenocarcinoma. Therefore, CT scan should not be used to determine the preoperative staging of gastric adenocarcinoma.