Routine pre-contrast CT for liver lesion detection. A re-examination.
OBJECTIVE
Re-examination of routine pre-contrast computed tomography (CT) through liver.


METHODS
852 abdominal CTs including pre- and post-contrast images were retrospectively reviewed regarding detection of hepatic lesions.


RESULTS
103 cases demonstrated hepatic abnormalities. More liver lesions were identified post-contrast in 89; equal numbers were seen pre- and post-contrast in 10; more lesions were seen pre-contrast in one case. Tiny calcifications were detected only pre-contrast in three cases.


CONCLUSIONS
Routine pre-contrast scanning through liver is not cost-effective.
Yassa
N A
NA
Department of Radiology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, USA.
Agostini
J T
JT
Tan
M S
MS
D003287:Contrast Media; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007479:Iopamidol; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000556:secondary; D008297:Male; D008329:Managed Care Programs / Q000191:economics; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000191:economics
D003287:Contrast Media; D007479:Iopamidol