Detection of colorectal liver metastases: comparison of laparotomy, CT, US, and Doppler perfusion index and evaluation of postoperative follow-up results.

Purpose: To assess the value of the Doppler perfusion index (DPI = the ratio of hepatic arterial to total liver blood flow) as measured with duplex and color Doppler sonography (DCDS) in comparison with computed tomography (CT), conventional ultrasound (US), and laparotomy for the detection of liver metastases in patients with colorectal cancer.

Materials And Methods: DCDS measurement of the DPI and CT, US, and laparotomy were performed in 161 consecutive colorectal cancer patients. Patients who underwent an apparently curative resection were followed up at 3-month intervals with US and at annual CT.

Comparison of the Doppler perfusion index and intraoperative ultrasonography in diagnosing colorectal liver metastases. Evaluation with postoperative follow-up results.

Objective: The authors compared the accuracy of intraoperative ultrasound with the Doppler perfusion index (DPI) in the detection of occult liver metastases.

Summary Background Data: Intraoperative ultrasound is well recognized to be very sensitive in the detection of small liver tumors. Previous studies using duplex/color Doppler sonography have shown that the measurement of the DPI (hepatic arterial to total liver blood flow ratio) can detect the presence of occult colorectal liver metastases.

Improved sensitivity of colour Doppler flow imaging of colorectal hepatic metastases using galactose microparticles: a preliminary report.

The clinical application of ultrasonographic contrast agents in colour Doppler flow imaging of hepatic tumours is receiving increasing attention. Levovist is a suspension of galactose microparticles that provides reproducible concentrations of stabilized air bubbles with transpulmonary stability. Its effect on colour Doppler imaging was assessed in 26 patients with colorectal cancer and histologically proven hepatic metastases.

Hepatic perfusion changes in patients with liver metastases: comparison with those patients with cirrhosis.

Previous studies using dynamic scintigraphy have shown that the measurement of changes in hepatic perfusion may be exploited to detect liver metastases. Similar hepatic haemodynamic changes also occur in cirrhosis, however, thereby reducing the diagnostic power of the technique. The ability of duplex colour Doppler sonography (DCDS) to differentiate between the changes in liver perfusion in patients with cirrhosis and those with hepatic metastases was assessed.