The accuracy of computed tomography of the liver in colo-rectal carcinoma

A prospective study in 71 patients with colo-rectal carcinoma was undertaken to evaluate the accuracy of computed tomography (CT) of the liver and arterially enhanced liver CT (CTA). The results were initially based on the findings at surgery. The accuracy of CT was 82% and CTA 84%. Since the evaluation of the liver at surgery is not always correct, a clinical follow-up and repeat CT in the same group of patients was performed. The intention was to search for occult metastatic disease of the liver and thus more accurately evaluate the results of CT, CTA and the surgical evaluation at laparotomy. Both the presence or absence of tumour, as well as the distribution of tumour growth in the liver were considered. In comparison with the results of the follow-up, CT detected the presence and correctly described the tumour distribution in 86%, CTA in 87%, and the surgeon in 88% of the cases, respectively. CTA is recommended if the CT scan is negative or if a more detailed evaluation is required prior to liver resection.