Liver metastases from colorectal cancers: detection with CT during arterial portography

A total of 45 metastases to the liver from colorectal cancer were resected in 22 patients. The detectability of these lesions with the following modalities was determined: real-time ultrasound (US), computed tomography (CT), selective celiac arteriography (SCA), infusion hepatic angiography (IHA), CT during arterial portography (CTAP), and CT following intraarterial injection of iodized poppyseed oil (Lipiodol). The total detection rate (sensitivity) was 58% for US, 63% for CT, 27% for SCA, 50% for IHA, 84% for CTAP, and 38% for CT with iodized oil. Ten of 18 lesions less than 15 mm in largest diameter were demonstrated preoperatively by CTAP only. CTAP is useful in clarifying the locations of the lesions in the liver and should always be performed before liver metastases from colorectal cancer are resected.