Characteristic | TAUS | EUS | Video capsule | CT* | MRI* |
Use | Detection of primary GI NET (solid organs only) | Detection of gastric, duodenal and rectal primary NETs; diagnostic biopsy | Detection of esophageal, gastric, duodenal, and small-bowel primary NETs | Staging and follow-up (first-choice modality); identification of primary site; evaluation of local extent; assessment of metastases | Detection and assessment of liver metastases (first-choice modality) |
Sensitivity | Limited; high interoperator variability | High | Moderate | Can be enhanced by enterography and enteroclysis | High for bone marrow metastases; can be enhanced by enterography and enteroclysis |
Radiation exposure | No | No | No | Yes | No |
Other | Is widely available | Is invasive | Can analyze entire bowel | Is widely available | Uses gadolinium chelate, which is safer than CT iodine agents as regards allergic reactions and nephrotoxicity |
↵* Multiplanar contrast-enhanced images.
TAUS = transabdominal ultrasound; EUS = endoscopic ultrasound.