GISTs in the duodenum are rare (less than 5%). Primary duodenal GISTs are generally large, well-defined, heterogeneously enhancing, hypervascular masses with a prominent mixed growth pattern on CT. Ulceration and gas are relatively common features.

Surgical resection is the primary mode of treatment for GISTs. Up to 50% of all GISTs will have evidence of metastatic disease at the time of presentation.

Adjuvant chemotherapy with Imatinib is effective in the majority of cases and has had a dramatic impact on prognosis, as with this case.