Prospective comparative study of ultrasound, CT-scan, scintigraphy and laboratory tests to detect hepatic metastases.
The conventional methods of CT scan (CT), ultrasound (US), scintigraphy (SC), and laboratory tests (LDH, AP, 5-Nt) were prospectively compared in 135 patients with gastrointestinal carcinoma to define the most useful test to detect hepatic metastases. Thirty-six patients (26.7%) had hepatic metastases at laparotomy. Sensitivities were low: 46% for SC, 58% for US, 68% for CT and 63% for LDH. Accuracies ranged from 62% (LDH) to 78% (SC). No significant differences were found. Accurate and efficient detection of hepatic metastases is hampered by the relatively low sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of conventional imaging and laboratory tests.
de Brauw
L M
LM
Department of Surgery, University Hospital Leiden, The Netherlands.
van de Velde
C J
CJ
Pauwels
E K
EK
Bok
R
R
Bloem
J L
JL
Aarts
J C
JC
Hermans
J
J
D005770:Gastrointestinal Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D007770:L-Lactate Dehydrogenase / Q000097:blood; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000556:secondary*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014463:Ultrasonography
D007770:L-Lactate Dehydrogenase