Preoperative prediction of gastrointestinal stromal tumors with high Ki-67 proliferation index based on CT features

BACKGROUND: To determine whether preoperative computed tomography (CT) features can be used for the prediction of gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) with a high Ki-67 proliferation index (Ki-67 PI). METHODS: A total of 198 patients with surgically and pathologically proven GISTs were retrospectively included. All GISTs were divided into a low Ki-67 PI group (<10%) and a high Ki-67 PI group (≥10%). All imaging features were blindly interpreted by two radiologists. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses were conducted to evaluate the predictive performance of the imaging features. RESULTS: Imaging features were found to be significantly different between the low and the high Ki-67 PI groups (P<0.05). Wall thickness of necrosis showed the highest predictive ability, with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.838 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.627–0.957], followed by necrosis, necrosis degree, hyperenhancement of the overlying mucosa (HYOM), and long diameter (LD) (AUC >0.7, P<0.05). HYOM was the strongest predictive feature for the high Ki-67 PI GISTs group, with an odds ratio (OR) value of 30.037 (95% CI: 5.707–158.106). CONCLUSIONS: Imaging features, including the presence of necrosis, high necrosis degree, thick wall of necrosis, and HYOM were significant predictive indicators for the high Ki-67 PI GISTs group.