Diagnosis of liver metastases from malignant gastrointestinal neoplasms: results of pre- and intraoperative ultrasound examinations.

In this prospective study, 108 patients presenting with gastrointestinal cancer were examined for liver metastasis before and during surgery. The investigations emphasized a comparison of pre- and intraoperative ultrasound (US) examinations. The results of intraoperative liver inspection and palpation served as control parameters. In addition, an exact description and characterization of the liver metastases was attempted. Liver metastases were found in 30 of the 108 patients (28%). They could be identified in 17 subjects by preoperative US (57% sensitivity), in 21 patients by intraoperative palpation and inspection (70% sensitivity), and in 27 cases by intraoperative US (90% sensitivity). We concluded that 7%-34% of patients with liver metastases can be identified with 95% reliability using intraoperative US alone or in combination with palpation and inspection.