title: Non-invasive diagnostic imaging of colorectal liver metastases.
abstract: Colorectal cancer is one of the few malignant tumors in which synchronous or metachronous liver metastases [colorectal liver metastases (CRLMs)] may be treated with surgery. It has been demonstrated that resection of CRLMs improves the long-term prognosis. On the other hand, patients with un-resectable CRLMs may benefit from chemotherapy alone or in addition to liver-directed therapies. The choice of the most appropriate therapeutic management of CRLMs depends mostly on the diagnostic imaging. Nowadays, multiple non-invasive imaging modalities are available and those have a pivotal role in the workup of patients with CRLMs. Although extensive research has been performed with regards to the diagnostic performance of ultrasonography, computed tomography, positron emission tomography and magnetic resonance for the detection of CRLMs, the optimal imaging strategies for staging and follow up are still to be established. This largely due to the progressive technological and pharmacological advances which are constantly improving the accuracy of each imaging modality. This review describes the non-invasive imaging approaches of CRLMs reporting the technical features, the clinical indications, the advantages and the potential limitations of each modality, as well as including some information on the development of new imaging modalities, the role of new contrast media and the feasibility of using parametric image analysis as diagnostic marker of presence of CRLMs.
authors.affiliation: Pier Paolo Mainenti, Laura Pizzuti, IBB CNR, 80145 Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Pier Paolo
authors.initials: PP
authors.lastname: Mainenti
authors.affiliation: Pier Paolo Mainenti, Laura Pizzuti, IBB CNR, 80145 Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Federica
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Romano
authors.affiliation: Pier Paolo Mainenti, Laura Pizzuti, IBB CNR, 80145 Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Pizzuti
authors.affiliation: Pier Paolo Mainenti, Laura Pizzuti, IBB CNR, 80145 Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Sabrina
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Segreto
authors.affiliation: Pier Paolo Mainenti, Laura Pizzuti, IBB CNR, 80145 Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Storto
authors.affiliation: Pier Paolo Mainenti, Laura Pizzuti, IBB CNR, 80145 Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Lorenzo
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Mannelli
authors.affiliation: Pier Paolo Mainenti, Laura Pizzuti, IBB CNR, 80145 Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Imbriaco
authors.affiliation: Pier Paolo Mainenti, Laura Pizzuti, IBB CNR, 80145 Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Luigi
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Camera
authors.affiliation: Pier Paolo Mainenti, Laura Pizzuti, IBB CNR, 80145 Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Simone
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Maurea
keywords: Advances in imaging; Colorectal cancer; Liver metastases