The value of preoperative computed tomography combined with ultrasound in the investigation of small indeterminate liver lesions in patients with colorectal cancer

BackgroundComputed tomography (CT) is used routinely for the preoperative detection of colorectal cancer (CRC) metastases. When small indeterminate focal liver lesions are detected that are too small to characterize (TSTC) on CT, additional imaging is usually needed, resulting in a potential delay in obtaining a complete diagnostic work-up.PurposeTo determine the diagnostic accuracy of ultrasound (US) of the liver performed in direct conjunction to CT in the preoperative investigation among patients with newly diagnosed CRC when indeterminate liver lesions were found on CT.Material and MethodsPreoperative investigations with CT and consecutive US where CT had shown at least one focal liver lesion in 74 patients diagnosed with CRC between June 2009 and February 2012 were retrospectively reviewed. Either histopathological findings or a combination of imaging and clinical follow-up one to three years after surgery was used as the reference.ResultsLiver metastases were diagnosed with CT/US in 13 out of 74 pat...