Detection of malignant focal hepatic lesions. Comparison of ultrasonography, computerized tomography during arterial portography, delayed computerized tomography and magnetic resonance imaging.

Aims. - This study was performed to compare the sensitivity of ultrasonogra phy, computerized tomography during arterial portography, delayed computeri zed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging to detect focal liver lesion s. Forty three patients with primary or secondary malignant liver lesions w ere studied prior to surgical intervention. Methods. - The results of the imaging studies were compared with intraopera tive examination of the liver; intraoperative ultrasonography and pathology results (29 patients). In the non-operated (14 patients) group, we compare d the number of lesions detected by each technique. Results. - One hundred and forty six lesions were detected. There was 84 % sensitivity with computerized tomography during arterial portography, 61.3 % with delayed scan, 63.3 % with magnetic resonance imaging and 51 % with u ltrasonography in operated patients. In patients who did not undergo surger y, magnetic resonance imaging was more sensitive in detecting lesions. Conclusions - In operated and non-operated patients series, CT during arter ial portography had the highest sensitivity but magnetic resonance imaging had the most consistent overall results.