LAPAROSCOPIC DETECTION OF HEPATIC METASTASES IN PATIENTS WITH RESIDUAL OR RECURRENT MEDULLARY-THYROID CANCER

Background. After initial operations for medullary thyroid cancer (MTC ), reoperation with removal of metastatic disease confined to the neck may benefit some patients. The identification of distant metastases p recludes the possibility of curative reoperation. Methods. Forty-one p atients with hypercalcitoninemia after initial surgical treatment for MTC underwent laparoscopic (n = 36) or open (n = 5) examination and bi opsy of the liver. Thirty-seven. of these patients underwent imaging b y computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the li ver, or both, and 17 underwent selective venous catheterization (SVC) with measurement of hepatic and peripheral vein stimulated calcitonin levels. Results. Liver metastases were found in eight patients, seven by laparoscopy and one by open examination. Seven of these patients ha d normal CT or MRI scans of the liver. Laparoscopy or open liver exami nation revealed metastases in 2 of 11 patients with elevated hepatic v ein-peripheral vein stimulated calcitonin ratios (greater than 1.3). M etastases appeared as small (less than 5 min), bright white nodules on the surface of the liver. Conclusions. Direct examination and biopsy of the liver by laparoscopy may show small deposits of metastatic MTC in patients with normal CT and MRI scanning.