title: Peripheral low-density area of hepatic tumors: CT-pathologic correlation.
abstract: To aid in the distinction between colorectal cancer metastasis to the liver and hepatocellular carcinoma, findings on computed tomographic (CT) scans taken more than 5 minutes after contrast material administration ("late-enhanced CT scans") and pathologic findings were compared. Late-enhanced CT scans of metastatic adenocarcinoma showed a peripheral low-density area (PLDA) that corresponded to viable tumor and a central high-density area that represented fibrous connective tissue. This phenomenon was recognized in 15 of 20 (75%) patients with metastatic adenocarcinoma and in one of 50 (2%) patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. Late-enhanced CT scans may be useful in distinguishing between metastatic nonmucinous colorectal cancer and hepatocellular carcinoma.
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology / Q000556:secondary; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000473:pathology; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology / Q000556:secondary; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012004:Rectal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods