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Date Published: 25/09/2023
Online Published: 25/09/2023
Abstract Views: 276
Views pdf: 87
DOI: https://doi.org/10.55046/vjrnm.52.961.2023
Issue
No. 52 (2023)
Section
Scientific research
How to Cite
Le, Q. K., Do, H. T. A., & Ly, V. A. (2023). Imaging characteristics of colorectal liver metastases on dynamic computed tomography . Vietnamese Journal of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, 52, 25-31. https://doi.org/10.55046/vjrnm.52.961.2023

Imaging characteristics of colorectal liver metastases on dynamic computed tomography

Le Quang Khang1,, Do Hai Thanh Anh1, Ly Van Anh2
1 Department of Diagnostic Imaging, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ho Chi Minh City
2 Graduate student of College of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ho Chi Minh City

Main Article Content

Abstract

Background: Colorectal cancer is a common cancer that has a high morbidity and mortality rate, and the liver is the most frequent metastatic organ. Dynamic computed tomography (CT) can be used to diagnose colorectal liver metastases based on their imaging characteristics and enhancing patterns which are different from other liver lesions. Objective: To describe the imaging characteristics of colorectal liver metastases on dynamic CT.


Methods: A cross–sectional study was conducted on 39 colorectal cancer patients with pathologically proven liver metastases. All patients underwent triphasic CT. Other lesions sharing similar imaging characteristics were considered metastases. Patient demographic and CT findings were documented


Results: 39 patients and 92 lesions were included in the analysis. Liver metastases can be solitary (48.7%) or multiple (51.3%). Most of them are located in the right lobe (62%) more than the left lobe. Lesions less than 5 cm have the highest rate (80.5%). Liver metastases are often well–defined (54.4%) with non-lobulated borders (58.7%). Calcification is rare (5.4%). Compared to the surrounding liver parenchyma, colorectal liver metastases have a lower density in the pre-contrast phase (89.3%), and are also less enhanced in arterial and venous phases (93.5% and 98.9% gradually). Contrast-enhanced lesions are usually heterogeneously (91.3%). Rim enhancement at the peripheral area is often observed (78.2%). Of 51 lesions, it appears on both arterial and venous phases (55.4%). Central necrosis is about 41.3% of the total lesions and dominantly appears in lesions larger than 3 cm.


Conclusions: Imaging characteristics of the colorectal liver metastases mostly observed are the thin rim enhancement at the peripheral area, low density in the pre-contrast phase, less enhancement than the normal surrounding liver parenchyma on both arterial and venous phases, central necrosis in the large lesions, and heterogeneously enhanced pattern. 

Article Details

Keywords

colorectal liver metastases, dynamic CT, imaging characteristics.

References

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