Liver: Radiological methods supplementary

Highly specific methods are required for the diagnostic workup of focal hep atic lesions, since benign circumscribed liver changes are very common. Alt hough cross-sectional imaging techniques have a high diagnostic accuracy, r adionuclide imaging techniques such as colloid, red blood cell, or hepatobi liary scan are commonly performed when a benign lesion is assumed since the se permit a definite diagnosis with high specificity. The diagnosis of a pr imary or secondary malignant liver tumor, however, usually relies on radiol ogical imaging techniques alone, supported by needle biopsy. Whether positr on emission tomography as a primary or supplementary diagnostic tool will h ave a role in the routine staging of maligna nt tumors remains to be determ ined.