Abdominal CT in the evaluation of small cell carcinoma of the lung

Upper abdominal CT scans were performed on 45 consecutive patients with biopsy proven but previously untreated small cell carcinoma of the lung. Evidence of metastases was found in 16 (36%) patients. The most common site of metastases was the liver (27%). CT had a sensitivity of 88% and specificity of 94% as compared with biopsy results. Evidence of retroperitoneal metastases was found in seven (16%) patients.