title: Radiological findings in primary liver malignancies.
abstract: The imaging findings in 134 patients with primary liver malignancy were evaluated retrospectively to determine the sensitivity and appearances of the tumour by each method. One hundred and thirty-one patients were examined by ultrasound, 77 via computed tomography, 62 via arteriography, 30 were subjected to isotope examination, and fine-needle biopsies were performed in 93 patients. 53 patients were operated on and 23 autopsied. In 59 cases a solitary tumour was found, in 69 cases multiple tumours and in 6 diffuse tumours. US gave a correct solitary/multiple/diffuse classification in 85%, CT in 88%, arteriography in 71% and scintigraphy in 71% of positive imaging results. The largest mean diameter of the tumour was 9.5 cm, range 2-25 cm. US showed a lesion that was interpreted as a tumour in 94, CT in 91, arteriography in 89 and scintigraphy in 80%, a focal lesion with false interpretation was detected in 1, 3, 5 and 0%, respectively, shares of false negative results were 5, 6, 6 and 20%. In the group of tumours of diameter less than 8 cm, US missed 5%, CT 15%, arteriography 9% and scintigraphy 22%. In tumours 8 cm or larger US missed 4%, CT 0%, arteriography 5% and scintigraphy 18%.
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic Radiology, University Central Hospital, Oulu, Finland.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Päivänsalo
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tikkakoski
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Typpö
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kallioinen
mesh_terms: D002759:Adenoma, Bile Duct / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000792:Angiography; D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009378:Neoplasms, Multiple Primary / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014463:Ultrasonography