| Summary: | Purpose This study aimed to evaluate the natural growth of subepithelial tumors of the small
bowel detected on CT.
Materials and Methods Consecutive patients who were suspected of having subepithelial tumors
of the small bowel between January 2005 and December 2020 were reviewed. Eligible
patients with suspected small (< 30 mm) subepithelial tumors on at least two CT evaluations
were included in the analysis. The patients’ data on demographic characteristics, tumoral characteristics,
and tumoral size changes during the follow-up were collected.
Results This study included 64 patients with suspected small subepithelial tumors (n = 64) of
the small bowel. After a median follow-up of 15.8 months, the diameter and volume growth
rates were 0.02 mm/month and 1.5 mm3/month, respectively. A significant correlation was observed
between the initial size and the growth rate of the small bowel subepithelial tumors.
The group of large-sized tumors (initial diameter ≥ 10 mm) tended to show lobulated contours,
heterogeneous enhancement, and necrotic changes more frequently than the group of
small-sized tumors (initial diameter < 10 mm).
Conclusion Small bowel subepithelial tumors measuring less than 10 mm grew more slowly
than those measuring 10–30 mm.
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