Functional heterogeneity of liver metastases on triphasic computer tomograms

Ninety patients with liver metastases (68 colorectal carcinomas, 22 breast carcinomas) were examined by triphasic angio-CT. This included demonstration of the entire liver after a bolus-like injection of contrast. Originally, the metastases were hypodense, but showed four patterns of contrast enhancement. Quantitative evaluation of the mammary carcinomas showed a marked increase in density during the bolus phase, with simular contrast values in the liver and at the centre and edge of the metastasis at ten minutes after the injection. Colorectal carcinomas showed only slight increase in density after contrast injection. The difference in density between the centre and the periphery of the metastasis was still present on later images. This finding indicates that there are differences in the vascularisation of these metastases. (orig.)