Cystic islet cell tumors: radiologic findings in three cases

Abstract

We report three cases of cystic islet cell tumors, two caused by gastrinomas and the other by an islet cell carcinoma. All three patients underwent computed tomography (CT) and angiography and two also had magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. Several common radiographic findings were present as follows: thickening of the cyst wall and irregularity of the inner surface on postcontrast CT and MR images, neovascularity and a densely staining hypervascular rim on angiography, and moderately increased signal intensity of the cyst content on T1-weighted MR images, which indicated fluid containing blood and/or necrotic tissue. These findings are helpful in defining the nature of these lesions and strongly suggest that cystic islet cell tumor should be included in the differential diagnosis.