[The diagnosis of liver metastases and primary hepatomas by means of scintigraphy, laparoscopy and laparotomy].

To evaluate the presence or absence of hepatic metastases or primary hepatoma 106 patients were examined by liver scintigram as well as laparoscopy or laparotomy. A definite diagnosis was established in all patients by histology, autopsy or observation of clinical course for at least one year. Only scintigrams resulted in false positive diagnosis (in 5%). False negative diagnoses were obtained in 29% of laparoscopies and in 36% of scintigrams when evaluated routinely with knowledge of the clinical findings and laboratory examinations. Analysis of the same scintigrams by an experienced examiner without knowledge of the clinical findings lowered the proportion of false negative scintigrams to 12%. In 5 patients with liver metastases or hepatoma coexisting in liver cirrhosis or advanced chronic liver congestion, both methods of examination gave false negative results.