title: Is dual-phase abdominal CT necessary for the optimal detection of metastases from renal cell carcinoma?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine whether dual-phase abdominal computed tomography (CT) detected more metastases than portal-phase CT alone in patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC).
  
  
  METHODS
  Audit committee approval was obtained. A retrospective audit was undertaken in 100 patients who underwent both arterial and portal phase CT. The CT images were independently reviewed by two consultant radiologists. The presence of metastases in the liver, pancreas, and contralateral kidney were recorded for each phase of contrast enhancement.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Metastases were identified in the liver in 27 patients, pancreas in 12, and contralateral kidney in 23 patients. Nine of the 27 (33%) liver metastases, three of the 12 (25%) pancreatic metastases, and two of the 23 (9%) renal metastases were only detected in the arterial phase, whilst four of the 27 (15%) liver metastases, three of the 12 (25%) pancreatic metastases, and two of the 23 (9%) renal metastases were only detected in the portal phase. Nine patients (9%) had metastases only visualized in the arterial phase, and six (6%) only in the portal phase. Detection of metastases only visible in the arterial phase led to a change of management in two patients (2%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The audit results support our current standard of dual-phase abdominal CT for optimal detection of RCC metastases.
authors.affiliation: The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK. Yjain500@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Jain
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Liew
authors.forename: M B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Taylor
authors.forename: S C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Bonington
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002292:Carcinoma, Renal Cell / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000556:secondary*; D003287:Contrast Media; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007680:Kidney Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000556:secondary*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000556:secondary*; D011860:Radiography, Abdominal; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media