AN ASSESSMENT OF ULTRASOUND SCANNING IN THE RECOGNITION OF COLORECTAL LIVER METASTASES

  • 1 January 1982
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 64  (6) , 391-393
Abstract
The preoperative detection of visible liver metastases in patients with colorectal cancer is important in determining a rational treatment policy. The accuracy of hepatic ultrasound scanning was assessed in 100 patients with primary colorectal cancer. Each patient had a 99mTc-sulfur colloid scan, ultrasound scan and liver function test. All patients came to laparotomy, and the liver was carefully palpated. With very few exceptions, the combination of isotope and ultrasound scanning gave accurate information on the state of the liver in all patients in this series. Alkaline phosphatase was the only enzyme whose serum activity was consistently elevated in the presence of liver metastases. Ultrasound scanning of the liver is a simple, safe, accurate and noninvasive method for preoperative assessment of the state of the liver in patients with primary colorectal cancer.