Problems of diagnostic origin in tumors of the small intestine developing in the smooth muscle. Report on 7 cases

The smooth muscle tumors of the small intestine are particularly interesting for the difficulty and the delay of their diagnosis. This usually happened for the poor and indefinite symptomatology and the problematic exploration of the organ. Starting up from the observation of 7 patients between 1986 and 1989 the Authors critically examined the literature about this problem to value the diagnostic opportunities of the principal clinical exams, suggesting as resolutive investigation, if indicated, the angiographic selective study of the visceral abdominal arteries.