ABSTRACT
The advantages of computed tomography scan are its wide availability and rapidity of the scan which can typically be done without sedation even in young children. Fortunately malignant neoplasms of the abdomen is uncommon in children. Gastrointestinal (GI) stromal tumors arise from the mesenchyme and may occur anywhere along the GI tract but are most common in the stomach. GI carcinoid tumors arise from the neuroendocrine cells which are a part of the amine precursor uptake and decarboxylation system. GI carcinoid tumors are typically classified by whether they arise from the foregut, midgut or hindgut. Several aspects of presentation with neuroblastoma are of particular interest as one considers GI disease. Neuroblastoma is a tumor that originates from the neural crest cells. Neuroblastomas are unusual in that there are widely divergent outcomes which depend on the biology of the tumor. Children with advanced neuroblastoma often have protein-calorie malnutrition, but the diagnosis is usually suggested by other signs and symptoms.
