title: [Detection of hepatic metastasis of digestive cancers. Value of enzyme assays and ultrasonography].
abstract: Alkaline phosphatase (AP), gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and aspartate aminotransferase (AsT) assays, as well as ultrasonography are the easiest and least expensive examinations to perform in the diagnosis of hepatic metastases. The 273 patients included in this series had cancer of the digestive tract. The diagnosis of presence or absence of liver metastases was made at surgery and was positive in 38 patients (14 per cent). A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was drawn after computing the sensitivity (Se) and specificity (Sp) of each laboratory determination while the threshold indicating that the value was normal was incremented. The examinations were then compared in terms of Se, Sp, positive predictive value and negative predictive value. The threshold was determined on the ROC curve where less false-positive and more true-positive results were shown. According to predictive values, laboratory determinations could be classified in decreasing order of usefulness as: AP, LDH, GGT and AsT. Ultrasonography had a positive predictive value of 68 per cent a negative predictive value of 95 per cent, both figures being higher than those of any laboratory examination. These results suggest that ultrasonography has a higher diagnostic value than any of the enzyme assays in the detection of hepatic metastases. Moreover, ultrasonography provides morphological information which, in case of liver resection, may be useful to the surgeon.
authors.affiliation: Service de Chirurgie digestive, Hôpital Tenon, Paris.
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Molkhou
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Lacaine
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Houry
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Huguier
mesh_terms: D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase / Q000097:blood; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases / Q000097:blood; D004796:Clinical Enzyme Tests; D004067:Digestive System Neoplasms; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007770:L-Lactate Dehydrogenase / Q000097:blood; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000556:secondary*; D008297:Male; D012372:ROC Curve; D014463:Ultrasonography; D005723:gamma-Glutamyltransferase / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D007770:L-Lactate Dehydrogenase; D005723:gamma-Glutamyltransferase; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase
vernacular_title: Dépistage des métastases hépatiques des cancers digestifs. Place des dosages enzymatiques et de l' échographie.