title: Routine pre-contrast CT for liver lesion detection. A re-examination.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, USA.
authors.forename: N A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Yassa
authors.forename: J T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Agostini
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Tan
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media; D007479:Iopamidol