Hepatic metastases from colorectal cancer: detection and false-positive findings with helical CT during arterial portography.

PURPOSE

To determine the sensitivity and false-positive rate of helical computed tomography during arterial portography (CTAP) in the detection of hepatic metastases from colorectal cancer.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Preoperative helical CTAP was performed to examine 23 patients (10 men and 13 women, aged 43-77 years [mean, 63 years]) who later underwent surgical tumor resection. Imaging findings were retrospectively reviewed by two radiologists and were correlated with intraoperative and histologic findings.

RESULTS

Helical CTAP demonstrated 33 of 35 metastases, with diameters of 4-95 mm, that were identified in resected specimens (sensitivity, 94%). The two metastases not demonstrated were 4 and 5 mm in diameter. Five false-positive lesions were found in four patients, yielding a false-positive rate of 17% by patient analysis and 13% by lesion analysis.

CONCLUSION

The sensitivity of helical CTAP in the preoperative detection of hepatic metastases is high, and its false-positive rate compares favorably with that of conventional CTAP, but future comparative studies are needed to determine which is the better modality.