Accuracy of computed tomography of the liver and biliary tract.

Computed tomography (CT) is a highly accurate method of detecting and clarifying the nature of space-occupying lesions within the liver. Obstructive (surgical) jaundice can be differentiated from nonobstructive (medical) jaundice very accurately using CT scanning; when obstruction is present, its level and cause can often be diagnosed. CT is not a sensitive method of detecting hepatocellular disease. Sources of error in CT scan interpretation are analyzed.