Computed tomographic appearance of colorectal hepatic metastases

• Published in: Annals of the Academy of Medicine, Singapore Vol. 32; no. 2; pp. 191 - 195
• Main Authors: Chiang, S H, Thng, C H, Teh, C S C, Tan, A G S, Poddar, S L, Wong, B S, Chow, P K H, Chung, A Y F, Ooi, L L P J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Singapore 01.03.2003
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Colorectal Neoplasms - pathology; Colorectal Neoplasms - surgery; Female; Humans; Liver Neoplasms - diagnostic imaging; Liver Neoplasms - epidemiology; Liver Neoplasms - etiology; Liver Neoplasms - secondary; Liver Neoplasms - surgery; Male; Medical Records; Middle Aged; Neoplasm Metastasis; Retrospective Studies; Singapore - epidemiology; Tomography, X-Ray Computed - utilization
• ISSN: 0304-4602; 0304-4602
• DOI: 10.47102/annals-acadmedsg.V32N2p191

This article reviews the various computed tomography (CT) appearances of hepatic metastases from colorectal primaries and assesses the frequency of occurrence of the various patterns. This is a retrospective study of the CT appearances of histologically proven colorectal hepatic metastases in a group of 52 patients who had undergone surgical hepatic resection between January 1994 and December 2001. A total of 74 hepatic metastatic lesions were reviewed. All lesions were examined in the portal venous phase. A discernible rim was seen in 54 lesions (73%). Thick rim was present in 36 lesions (48.6%) and thin rim in 18 lesions (24.3%). Enhancement of the rim was present in 62 cases (83.8%). Increased central attenuation was seen in 38 lesions (51.4%). Of these, the centre was heterogeneous in 76.3% and scar-like in 23.7%. A non-enhancing rim was seen in 12 lesions (16.2%) which appeared as lesions with "bevelled edge". Thick enhancing rim with non-enhancing centre was the most common combination in 15 lesions (20.3%). An enhancing rim could be seen in 83.8% of lesions. Increased central attenuation was present in 51.4% of the lesions. Familiarity with the various CT appearances may facilitate identification and diagnosis of colorectal liver metastases.