A Study of Computed Tomographic Characteristics of Liver Metastases in Patients with Colorectal Cancer in Udonthani Hospital

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Cause of death in patient with colorectal cancer mainly results from formation of distant metastasis. The liver is a primary target organ for metastatic lesion which substantially influence prognosis and mortality rate of the disease. The objective of this study was     to review of the various computed tomographic characteristics of liver metastases in patients with colorectal cancer.

  Methods: Of 31 patients at Udonthani Hospital who were enrolled from January 2009 and    December 2012 in this retrospective descriptive study. Dermographic data and CT characteristics were reviewed and assessed the frequency of the various patterns in number and percentage.                                                                                                                                                        Results: Multiplicity of lesion was found in 17 patients (54.8%), tumor size 1-5 cm in 23 patients (74.2%), non-calcified lesion in 24 patients (77.4%), hypodensity lesion in 25 patients (80.6%),rim enhancement in 29 patients (93.5%), irregular rim enhancement in 26 patients (89.7%), thin rim enhancement in 23 patients (79.3%) and internal septation in 23 patients (74.2%).

Conclusion: The common CT characteristics of colorectal liver metastases were multiplicity of lesion, non-calcified hypodensity lesion, irregular thin rim enhancement and internal septation.

Key words: computed tomographic characteristics, liver metastasis, colorectal cancer