Table 2. Comparison of GIST imaging modality advantages and disadvantages.

Imaging modality	Advantages	Disadvantages
CT enterography	Identifies location of tumors, perforation, local invasion, metastasis, definitive diagnosis (CT-guided biopsy). Displays full thickness of small bowel and mesentery. Determines sensitivity to adjuvant therapy	–
Abdominal ultrasound	Useful for visualization of tumors >5 cm in diameter	Inconsistent reliability in presence of necrosis, ulceration, and air in bowel. Variable efficacy due to operator skill
Magnetic resonance imaging	Identifies location of tumors, perforation, local invasion, and metastasis	Does not display full thickness of small bowel and mesentery
PET/CT combination imaging	GIST tumor staging, identifying areas of necrosis, differentiating benign vs. malignant tumors, determining sensitivity to adjuvant therapy. Better for imaging liver metastasis than CT alone	–

GIST, gastrointestinal stromal tumor.