An assessment of ultrasound scanning in the recognition of colorectal liver metastases.

The preoperative detection of visible liver metastases in patients with colorectal cancer is important in determining a rational treatment policy. The accuracy of haptic ultrasound scanning was assessed in 100 patients with primary colorectal cancer. Each patient had a 99mTc-sulphur colloid scan, ultrasound scan, and liver function test. All patients came to laparotomy and the liver was carefully palpated. With very few exceptions the combination of isotope and ultrasound scanning gave accurate information on the state of the liver in all patients in this series. Alkaline phosphatase was the only enzyme whose serum activity was consistently elevated in the presence of liver metastases. Ultrasound scanning of the liver is a simple, safe, accurate, and non-invasive method for preoperative assessment of the state of the liver in patients with primary colorectal cancer.