Computed tomography. Focal and diffuse liver disease.

Contrast enhanced CT is very accurate in the detection of focal hepatic disease. Lesion characterization is a more complex issue, in some instances requiring a combination of CT and other diagnostic tests or biopsy for accurate diagnosis. Although CT remains the modality of choice in the evaluation of suspected focal hepatic disease, this role may change if progress in MR imaging leads to further improvements in lesion detection and characterization.