Detection Of Colorectal Liver Metastases Research Articles

Clinical performance of a simulated abbreviated liver MRI in combination with contrast enhanced CT for the baseline evaluation of the liver in patients with colorectal cancer

ObjectivesTo assess the diagnostic accuracy and inter-reader agreement of a simulated abbreviated gadoxetate liver MRI protocol together with CE-CT against a standard gadoxetate MRI for the detection of colorectal liver metastases at baseline. MethodsThree readers independently evaluated two sets of images per patient, recording number and location of metastases and benign lesions. Set 1 comprised T1w, T2w, DWI, multiphase CE-T1w and HPB images (standard). Set 2 included T2w, HBP, DWI (from Set 1) and CE-CT (simulated abbreviated). Diagnostic performance was compared using McNemar’s test. Level of agreement between sets 1 and 2 was determined with Cohen kappa. For agreement in the number of benign lesions and metastases, we applied ICC. Results75 patients (245 metastases, 122 benign lesions) were evaluated. There was no significant difference in diagnostic accuracy between set 1 and 2 for each reader (mean P=0.74). The total number of metastases and benign lesions showed high agreement between reading set 1 and 2 (κ = 0.81, 0.78). The total number of metastases showed substantial agreement between readers for set 1 and 2 (ICC = 0.99, 0.99). Good agreement was seen for metastatic segmental involvement (κ = 0.84–0.99). ConclusionsAt baseline, using a simulated abbreviated liver MRI together with CE-CT showed excellent agreement with standard MRI protocol for liver metastasis detection.

Detection and Real-Time Surgical Assessment of Colorectal Liver Metastases Using Near-Infrared Fluorescence Imaging during Laparoscopic and Robotic-Assisted Resections.

The European Association of Endoscopic Surgery (EAES) recommends, with strong evidence, the use of indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescence imaging combined with intraoperative ultrasound (IOUS) to improve identification of superficial liver tumors. This study reports the use of ICG for the detection of colorectal liver metastases (CRLMs) during minimally invasive liver resection. A single-center consecutive series of minimally invasive (laparoscopic and robotic) hepatic resections for CRLMs was prospectively evaluated (April 2019 and October 2023). A total of 25 patients were enrolled-11 undergoing laparoscopic and 14 undergoing robotic procedures. The median age was 65 (range 50-85) years. Fifty CRLMs were detected: twenty superficial, eight exophytic, seven shallow (<8 mm from the hepatic surface), and fifteen deep (>10 mm from the hepatic surface) lesions. The detection rates of CRLMs through preoperative imaging, laparoscopic ultrasound (LUS), ICG fluorescence, and combined modalities (ICG and LUS) were 88%, 90%, 68%, and 100%, respectively. ICG fluorescence staining allowed us to detect five small additional superficial lesions (not identified with other preoperative/intraoperative techniques). However, two lesions were false positive fluorescence accumulations. All rim fluorescence pattern lesions were CRLMs. ICG fluorescence was used as a real-time guide to assess surgical margins during parenchymal-sparing liver resections. All patients with integrity of the fluorescent rim around the CRLM displayed a radical resection during histopathological analysis. Four patients (8%) with a protruding rim or residual rim patterns had positive resection margins. ICG fluorescence imaging can be integrated with other conventional intraoperative imaging techniques to optimize intraoperative staging. Rim fluorescence proved to be a valid indicator of the resection margins: by removing the entire fluorescent area, a tumor-negative resection (R0) is achieved.

Detection of Liver Lesions in Colorectal Cancer Patients Using 18F-FDG PET/CT Dual-Time-Point Scan Imaging.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic performance of dual-time-point fluorine-18-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission computed tomography/computed tomography (18F-FDG PET/CT) compared to conventional early imaging for detecting colorectal liver metastases (CRLM) in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. One hundred twenty-four consecutive CRC patients underwent dual-time-point imaging scans on a retrospective basis. Histopathological confirmation and/or clinical follow-up were accepted as the gold standard. Standard uptake values (SUV), signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), retention index (RI), tumor-to-normal liver ratio (TNR), and lesion sizes were measured for early and delayed PET scans. The diagnostic performance of early and delayed images was calculated on a per-patient basis and compared using McNemar's test. Among the 124 patients, 57 (46%) had CRLM, 6 (4.8%) had benign lesions, and 61 (49.2%) had no concerning lesions detected. Smaller CRLM lesions (<5 cm3) showed significantly higher uptake in the delayed scans relative to early imaging (p < 0.001). The SUV and TNR increased significantly in delayed imaging of all metastatic lesions (p < 0.001). The retention index of all CRLM was high (40.8%), especially for small lesions (54.8%). A total of 177 lesions in delayed images and 124 in standard early images were identified. In a per-patient analysis, delayed imaging had significantly higher sensitivity (100% vs. 87.7%) and specificity (91.0% vs. 94.0%) compared to early imaging (p-value = 0.04). The detection of liver lesions using dual-time-point PET/CT scan improves the sensitivity and specificity for the detection of colorectal liver metastasis.

Contrast-enhanced ultrasound with microbubbles containing sulfur hexafluoride and perfluorobutane with Kupffer phase for the detection of colorectal liver metastases.

To compare contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) with microbubbles containing sulfur hexafluoride (SHF) and perfluorobutane (PFB) for the detection of colorectal liver metastasis (CRLM). In this prospective study, conducted from September to November 2021, patients with colorectal cancer were consecutively recruited and underwent same-day ultrasound, SHF-CEUS, and PFB-CEUS. The reference standard was contrast-enhanced MRI and follow-up imaging. The size, depth, echogenicity, and calcification of each focal liver lesion were recorded. The number and conspicuity of CRLMs, based on washout appearance during the late phase (LP) (> 120 s)/Kupffer phase (KP), were evaluated offsite by two blinded readers. Overall, 230 lesions (CRLMs, n= 219; benign lesions, n= 11) in 78 patients were evaluated. Lesion conspicuity (p= 0.344) and accuracy in the detection of CRLM were comparable for SHF- and PFB-CEUS (0.877 for SHF vs. 0.770 for PFB, p= 0.087). More CRLMs ≥ 10 mm were identified by LP contrast washout in SHF-CEUS than in KP PFB-CEUS (p< 0.001). More CRLMs < 10 mm were identified by KP washout in PFB-CEUS than in LP SHF-CEUS (p< 0.001). Conspicuity was better on PFB-CEUS than on SHF-CEUS (p= 0.027). In hyperechoic lesions, lesions located deeper than 80 mm, and calcified lesions, CRLM conspicuity on PFB-CEUS was inferior to that on SHF-CEUS (p< 0.05). The overall accuracy of detection and conspicuity of washout in CRLMs were comparable between SHF and PFB-CEUS. PFB-CEUS has the advantage of identifying washout in small CRLMs. However, larger, hyperechogenic, deep-seated, or calcified lesions were better identified using SHF-CEUS. Accuracy of detection and conspicuity of washout in CRLMs were comparable between SHF- and PFB-CEUS. PFB-CEUS has the advantage in detecting small CRLMs, whereas SHF-CEUS is better for detecting larger, hyperechogenic, deep-seated, or calcified lesions. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound with sulfur hexafluoride in the late phase and perfluorobutane microbubbles in the Kupffer phase were comparable in terms of accuracy in the detection and conspicuity of colorectal liver metastases. Small colorectal liver metastases (< 10 mm) were more often identified in the Kupffer phase contrast-enhanced ultrasound imaging when using perfluorobutane microbubbles. Larger, hyperechogenic, deep-seated, or calcified lesions were better identified in the late phase contrast-enhanced ultrasound imaging (> 120 s) when using sulfur hexafluoride microbubbles.

Diagnostic performance of abbreviated gadoxetic acid-enhanced magnetic resonance protocols with contrast-enhanced computed tomography for detection of colorectal liver metastases.

Although contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) using gadoxetic acid has been shown to have higher accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity for the detection and characterization of hepatic metastases compared with other modalities, the long examination time would limit the broad indication. Several abbreviated enhanced MRI (Ab-MRI) protocols without dynamic phases have been proposed to achieve equivalent diagnostic performance for the detection of colorectal liver metastases. However, an optimal protocol has not been established, and no studies have assessed the diagnostic performance of Ab-MRI combined with contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CE-CT), which is the preoperative imaging of colorectal cancer staging in clinical settings, to determine the best therapeutic strategy. To compare the diagnostic performance of two kinds of Ab-MRI protocol with the standard MRI protocol and a combination of the Ab-MRI protocol and CE-CT for the detection of colorectal liver metastases. Study participants comprised 87 patients (51 males, 36 females; mean age, 67.2 ± 10.8 years) who had undergone gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI and CE-CT during the initial work-up for colorectal cancer from 2010 to 2021. Each exam was independently reviewed by two readers in three reading sessions: (1) Only single-shot fast spin echo (FSE) T2-weighted or fat-suppressed-FSE-T2-weighted, diffusion-weighted, and hepatobiliary-phase images (Ab-MRI protocol 1 or 2); (2) all acquired MRI sequences (standard protocol); and (3) a combination of an Ab-MRI protocol (1 or 2) and CE-CT. Diagnostic performance was then statistically analyzed. A total of 380 Lesions were analyzed, including 195 metastases (51.4%). Results from the two Ab-MRI protocols were similar. The sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values from Ab-MRI were non-inferior to those from standard MRI (P > 0.05), while those from the combination of Ab-MRI protocol and CE-CT tended to be higher than those from Ab-MRI alone, although the difference was not significant (P > 0.05), and were quite similar to those from standard MRI (P > 0.05). The diagnostic performances of two Ab-MRI protocols were non-inferior to that of the standard protocol. Combining Ab-MRI with CE-CT provided better diagnostic performance than Ab-MRI alone.

Detection of Colorectal Liver Metastases Using Near-Infrared Fluorescence Imaging During Hepatectomy: Prospective Single Centre UK Study.

Small superficial colorectal liver metastases (CLM) may be difficult to localise intraoperatively, especially during minimally invasive hepatectomy due to reduced tactile feedback and limitations of ultrasound (US). Near-infrared (NIRF) fluorescence imaging is an emerging technology that permits detection of liver tumours after systemic injection of indocyanine green (ICG). Our aim was to report our experience using NIRF to detect CLM. Patients with small, superficial resectable CLM received a 10-mg IV bolus of ICG the day before hepatectomy. All patients underwent preoperative liver-specific MRI. CLM were localised intraoperatively using a combination of white light/ultrasound (WL-US) and NIRF. Sensitivity and specificity of NIRF were compared with WL-US. Between March 2019 and July 2021, NIRF was utilised in 15 patients who underwent hepatectomy (laparoscopic 13, open 2). Thirty-two lesions were detected by MRI (including 3 disappearing CLM), of which 2 were ICG-negative and not resected (1 haemangioma, 1 disappearing CLM). Of 30 resected lesions, the median tumour diameter was 11mm (range 2-25), median distance from liver surface was 4.5mm (range 0-20) and all were confirmed CLM on histology (R0 resection rate 71%). Twenty-three of thirty (77%) and twenty-seven of thirty (90%) resected CLM were detected by WL-US and NIRF, respectively. Of 7/30 (23%) resected CLM that were WL-US negative, 5 were ICG-positive. Two resected 'disappearing' CLM were ICG-positive, one of which contained viable cancer cells. Overall, NIRF influenced the operative strategy in 6 patients (43%). Near-infrared fluorescence imaging allows detection of small, superficial colorectal liver metastases that are missed by conventional techniques and warrants further study.

Enhanced Operative Detection of Colorectal Liver Metastases.

Enhanced Operative Detection of Colorectal Liver Metastases.

Efficacy of Near-Infrared Fluorescence-Guided Hepatectomy for the Detection of Colorectal Liver Metastases: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

The application of indocyanine green fluorescence-guided hepatectomy for liver metastases from colorectal cancer is in the preliminary stage of clinical practice; thus, its efficacy needs to be determined. This study compared the number of intrahepatic colorectal liver metastases detected intraoperatively and postoperative recovery data between patients who underwent traditional hepatectomy (nonindocyanine green group) and traditional hepatectomy plus intraoperative indocyanine green fluorescence imaging (indocyanine green group). Between January 2018 and March 2020, patients with potentially resectable colorectal liver metastases were randomly assigned to the nonindocyanine green or indocyanine green group. The number of intrahepatic colorectal liver metastases identified intraoperatively and based on postoperative recovery data were compared between both groups. Overall, we recruited 80 patients, among whom 72 eligible patients were randomly assigned. After allocation, 64 patients, comprising 32 in each group, underwent the allocated intervention and follow-up. Compared with the nonindocyanine green group, the mean number of intrahepatic colorectal liver metastases identified intraoperatively in the indocyanine green group was significantly greater (mean [standard deviation], 3.03 [1.58] vs 2.28 [1.35]; p = 0.045), the postoperative hospital stay was shorter (p = 0.012) and the 1-year recurrence rate was also lower (p = 0.017). Postoperative complications and 90-day mortality were comparable, with no statistical differences. Indocyanine green fluorescence imaging significantly increases the number of intrahepatic colorectal liver metastases identified and reduces postoperative hospital stay and 1-year recurrence rate without increasing hepatectomy-related complications and mortality rates.

Intraoperative (Contrast-Enhanced) Ultrasound Has the Highest Diagnostic Accuracy of Any Imaging Modality in Resection of Colorectal Liver Metastases

AimDefining sensitivity, specificity, diagnostic accuracy for detection of colorectal liver metastases in imaging compared to intraoperative assessment. Defining a cutoff, where accuracy of detection is impaired. MethodsProspective single-institution clinical trial (clinicaltrials.gov: NCT01522209). Patients underwent CEUS, MDCT, and 3 Tesla EOB-MRI within 2 weeks preoperatively. Intraoperative palpation, IOUS, and CEIOUS were performed. A patient and lesion-based database was analyzed for accuracy of detection of CEUS, CT, MRI, and Palp/IOUS/CEIOUS combined read. Histology was standard of reference. ResultsForty-seven high tumor load (mean 5, 4 lesions) patients were analyzed. Histopathology confirmed 264 lesions (245 malignant: 19 benign). Accuracy for detection of all lesions: CEUS 63%, CT 71%, MRI 92%, and PALP/IOUS/CEIOUS 98%. ROC analysis for lesion size showed severe impairment of accuracy in lesion detection smaller than 5mm. Intraoperative imaging was not impaired by lesion size. Patient-based analysis revealed a change of resection plan after IOUS/CEIOUS in 35% of patients. ConclusionAt 5-mm lesion size, preoperative imaging shows a drop in accuracy of detection. In patients with multiple lesions, addition of MRI to MDCT seems useful. Accuracy of intraoperative ultrasound is not impacted by lesion size and should be mandatory. CEIOUS can improve intraoperative decision-making. Trial RegistrationStudy registered with clinicaltrials.gov: NCT01522209

Contrast-enhanced ultrasound can guide the therapeutic strategy by improving the detection of colorectal liver metastases

CT may miss up to 30% of cases of colorectal liver metastases (CRLMs). We assessed the impact of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) on the detection of CRLMs and on changes to the therapeutic strategy; additionally, we assessed the accuracy of CEUS in differentiating unclear focal liver lesions (FLLs) compared to staging-CT. We prospectively analyzed all patients with newly diagnosed and histologically confirmed colorectal cancer (CRC) at our tertiary gastroenterological center between December 2015 and May 2019. CEUS was performed in a total of 296 patients without CRLMs after staging-CT using the contrast agent (SonoVue®). Standard of reference was obtained by MRI or histology to diagnose CRLMs missed by CT. Benign FLLs were confirmed by MRI or follow-up CT (mean follow-up interval: 18 months). Eight additional CRLMs were detected by CEUS (overall 2.7%; sensitivity 88.9%, specificity 99.0%, positive predictive value 100%, negative predictive value 99.6%). All patients with CRLMs detected only by CEUS were in tumor stage T3/T4 (4.0% additionally detected CRLMs). The number needed to screen to detect 1 additional CRLM by CEUS was 37 in all patients and 24.5 in T3/T4-patients. When results were reviewed by a board-certified radiologist and oncologist, the therapeutic strategy changed in 6 of these 8 patients. Among the 62 patients (20.9%) with unclear FLLs after staging-CT, CEUS determined the dignity (malignant vs. benign) of 98.4% of the FLLs. Overall, CEUS detected 2.7% additional CRLMs (including 4.0% in tumor stage T3/T4) with a significant impact on the oncological therapeutic strategy for 75% of these patients. Patients with tumor stage T3/T4 would particularly benefit from CEUS. We propose CEUS as the first imaging modality for CT-detected lesions of unknown dignity. In patients with newly diagnosed colorectal cancer, contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) detected additional liver metastases after computed tomography (CT). In the majority of these patients, the oncological therapy was changed after obtaining the CEUS results. After staging-CT, 21% of hepatic lesions remained unclear. In these cases, CEUS was accurate to either reveal or exclude liver metastasis in nearly all patients and could reduce costs (e.g., number of MRI scans).

The diagnostic performance of a simulated "short" gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI protocol is similar to that of a conventional protocol for the detection of colorectal liver metastases.

To compare the performance of standard and simulated short gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI protocols for the detection of colorectal liver metastases (CRLM). From 2008 to 2017, 67 patients (44 men (66%); mean age 65 ± 11 years old) who underwent gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI during the initial work-up for colorectal cancer were included. Exams were independently reviewed by two readers blinded to clinical data in two reading sessions: (1) all acquired sequences (standard "long" protocol) and (2) only T2-weighted, diffusion-weighted, and hepatobiliary phase images (simulated "short" protocol). Readers characterized detected lesions using a 5-point scale (1-certainly benign to 5-certainly malignant). A lesion was considered a CRLM when the score was ≥ 3. The reference standard was histopathology or 12-month imaging follow-up. Chi-square, Student's t, and McNemar tests were used for comparisons. A total of 486 lesions including 331 metastases (68%) were analyzed. The metastasis detection rate was 86.1% (95% CI 82-89.4)-86.7% (82.6-90) and 85.8% (81.6-89.2)-87% (82.9-90.2) with the short and long protocols, respectively (p > 0.99). Among detected lesions, 92.1% (89.1-94.4)-94.8% (92.2-96.6) and 84.6% (80.8-87.7)-88.8% (85.4-91.5) were correctly classified with the short and long protocols, respectively (p = 0.13 and p = 0.10). The results remained unchanged when lesions scored ≥ 4 were considered as CRLM. The diagnostic performance of a simulated short gadoxetic enhanced-MR protocol including T2-weighted, diffusion-weighted, and hepatobiliary phase appears similar to that of a standard long protocol including dynamic phase images. Since this protocol shortens the duration of MR examination, it could facilitate the evaluation of patients with colorectal liver metastases. • The detection rate of colorectal metastases with a simulated, short, MRI protocol was similar to that of a standard protocol. • The performance of both protocols for the differentiation of metastases and benign lesions appears to be similar. • A short MR imaging protocol could facilitate the evaluation of patients with colorectal liver metastases.

MRI Findings of Liver Parenchyma Peripheral to Colorectal Liver Metastasis: A Potential Predictor of Long-term Prognosis.

Background Gadoxetic acid (Gd-EOB-DTPA)-enhanced MRI is superior to CT in the detection of colorectal liver metastases (CRLMs) smaller than 10 mm. However, few studies have used MRI findings to predict patients' long-term prognosis. Purpose To investigate the relationship between Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MRI findings in the liver parenchyma peripheral to CRLM and both pathologic vessel invasion and long-term prognosis. Materials and Methods This retrospective study included patients who underwent Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MRI before curative surgery for CRLM, without neoadjuvant chemotherapy, between July 2008 and June 2015. Early enhancement, reduced Gd-EOB-DTPA uptake, and bile duct dilatation peripheral to the CRLM at MRI were evaluated by three abdominal radiologists. All tumor specimens were reevaluated for the presence or absence of portal vein, hepatic vein, and bile duct invasion. Predictors of recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) after surgery were identified with Cox proportional hazard model with the Bayesian information criterion. Previously reported prognosticators were selected for multivariable analyses. The median follow-up period was 60 months (range, 9-127 months). Results Overall, 106 patients (mean age, 65 years ± 12 [standard deviation]; 68 men) with 148 CRLMs were evaluated. Bile duct dilatation peripheral to the tumor was associated with pathologic portal vein invasion (sensitivity, 12 of 50 [24%]; specificity, 89 of 98 [91%]; P = .02), bile duct invasion (sensitivity, eight of 19 [42%]; specificity, 116 of 129 [90%]; P = .001), poor RFS (P = .03; hazard ratio [HR] = 2.4 [95% confidence interval {CI}: 1.3, 4.2]), and poor OS (P = .01; HR = 2.4 [95% CI: 1.2, 4.9]). For RFS and OS, early enhancement and reduced Gd-EOB-DTPA uptake peripheral to the CRLM were eliminated by means of variable selection in the multivariable analysis, but the combination of these findings with bile duct dilatation provided a predictor of poor OS (P = .001; HR = 3.3 [95% CI: 1.6, 6.8]). Conclusion MRI signal intensity changes peripheral to the colorectal liver metastasis were predictors of long-term prognosis after curative surgery without neoadjuvant chemotherapy. © RSNA, 2020 Online supplemental material is available for this article. See also the editorial by Bashir in this issue.

Impact of contrast-enhanced ultrasound on detection of colorectal liver metastases and therapeutic strategy in patients with newly diagnosed colorectal carcinoma after staging with computertomography. A prospective cohort study

Impact of contrast-enhanced ultrasound on detection of colorectal liver metastases and therapeutic strategy in patients with newly diagnosed colorectal carcinoma after staging with computertomography. A prospective cohort study

Diagnostic performance of magnetic resonance imaging for colorectal liver metastasis: A systematic review and meta-analysis

The prognosis of colorectal cancer (CRC) is largely dependent on the early detection of hepatic metastases. With the advantages of nonradioactivity and the availability of multiple scanning sequences, the efficacy of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the detection of colorectal liver metastases (CRLM) is not yet clear. We performed this meta-analysis to address this issue. PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library were searched for studies reporting diagnostic performance of MRI for CRLM. Descriptive and quantitative data were extracted. The study quality was evaluated for the identified studies and a random effects model was used to determine the integrated diagnosis estimation. Meta-regression and subgroup analyses were implemented to investigate the potential contributors to heterogeneity. As a result, seventeen studies were included for analysis (from the year 1996 to 2018), comprising 1121 patients with a total of 3279 liver lesions. The pooled sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic odds ratio were 0.90 (95% confidence intervals (CI): 0.81–0.95), 0.88 (0.80–0.92), and 62.19 (23.71–163.13), respectively. The overall weighted area under the curve was 0.94 (0.92–0.96). Using two or more imaging planes and a quantitative/semiquantitative interpretation method showed higher diagnostic performance, although only the latter demonstrated statistical significance (P < 0.05). Advanced scanning sequences with DWI and liver-specific contrast media tended to increase the sensitivity for CRLM detection. We therefore concluded that contemporary MRI has high sensitivity and specificity for screening CRLM, especially for those with advanced scanning sequences. Using two or more imaging planes and adopting a quantitative/semiquantitative imaging interpretation may further improve diagnosis. However, the MRI results should be interpreted with caution because of substantial heterogeneity among studies.

Identification of a Collagen Marker in Urine Improves the Detection of Colorectal Liver Metastases.

Previously, we reported a combination of an urine collagen alpha-1(I) natural occurring peptide (NOP) AGPP(-OH)GEAGKP(-OH)GEQGVP(-OH)GDLGAP(-OH)GP (AGP) and serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) to have the potential to detect colorectal liver metastasis (CRLM). The combined method requires further adaption for better sensitivity and specificity prior to clinical implementation. This mass spectrometry study aimed to identify additional collagen NOPs in urine and determine the most discriminating NOP panel. We improved the combined method on the basis of analysis of urine samples from 100 healthy controls and 100 CRLM patients. Two additional NOPs were identified: GPPGEAGK(-OH)P(-OH)GEQGVP(-OH)GDLGAP(-OH)GP (GPP), collagen alpha-1(I), and GNDGARGSDGQPGPP(-OH)GP(-OH)P(-OH)GTAGFP(-OH)GSP(-OH)GAK(-OH)GEVGP (GND), collagen alpha-1(III). A molecular model combining NOPs (AGP, GPP, and GND) and CEA was generated. Molecules that did not contribute significantly were removed, resulting in a model consisting of GND and CEA. With this model, 88% sensitivity and 88% specificity were reached in the discovery set and 75% sensitivity and 100% specificity in the validation set (control, n = 12; CRLM, n = 10). The AUC of the ROC curve is significantly higher than the current model based on AGP and CEA (p = 3.3 × 10-4). The new model performs better than the currently used techniques in the clinic that have a 57-70% sensitivity and a 90-96% specificity.

Measurement Reliability and Diagnostic Accuracy of Virtual Monoenergetic Dual-Energy CT in Patients with Colorectal Liver Metastases

To compare dual-energy CT virtual monoenergetic images (VMI) and standard reconstructions for reliability of quantitative size measurements and diagnostic accuracy for the detection of colorectal liver metastases (CRLM). We retrospectively included 98 patients (mean age, 61.1±11.5 years) with colorectal cancer, of whom 49 subjects had CRLM. All patients underwent a portal-venous phase dual-energy CT examination. Standard linearly-blended reformats and 40-keV VMI were reconstructed. For both reconstruction techniques, two blinded readers performed measurements of CRLM twice in a preset sequence. Three additional radiologists independently assessed all liver lesions in terms of dignity (benign vs. malignant). Sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic accuracy were calculated on a per-patient basis using MRI as reference standard. Readers scored the suitability for metric measurements and their diagnostic confidence using 5-point Likert scales. Inter-rater agreement was evaluated using intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Inter-rater agreement for lesion size measurements was higher for 40-keV VMI (ICC, 0.88) compared to standard linearly-blended series (ICC, 0.80). Sensitivity and diagnostic accuracy for the detection of CRLM were significantly higher for VMI at 40-keV compared to standard reconstructions (90.6% vs. 80.6%, and 89.1% vs. 81.3%; p < 0.001). Reader scores indicated that 40-keV VMI were more suitable for metric lesion measurements and provided greater diagnostic confidence compared to standard reformats (median, 5 vs. 3, and 5 vs. 4; both p < 0.001). Low-keV VMI reconstructions improve reliability of quantitative size measurements and diagnostic accuracy for the assessment of CRLM compared to standard linearly-blended images.

Preoperative detection of colorectal liver metastases: DWI alone or combined with MDCT is no substitute for Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MRI.

Background Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with hepatocyte specific contrast has the highest sensitivity for colorectal liver metastases but comes at high costs and long examination times. Purpose To evaluate if preoperative detection of colorectal liver metastases with less resource-consuming diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) alone or in combination with multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) can compete with gadolinium-etoxybenzyl-diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (Gd-EOB-DTPA)-enhanced MRI. Material and Methods Forty-four patients with 123 colorectal liver metastases received MDCT and Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MRI including DWI before liver resection for colorectal liver metastases. Five image sets were evaluated by two radiologists. The DWI set consisted of DWI, ADC map, coronal, axial T2-weighted single-shot sequences. The DWI-T2F set contained additionally respiratory-triggered T2-weighted TSE-SPIR sequences. The MDCT set consisted of four-phase MDCT, the MDCT-DWI set also contained DWI. The CE-MRI set contained all MRI sequences including Gd-EOB-DTPA. Reference standards was histopathology and follow-up. Results CE-MRI set had highest sensitivity ( P ≤ 0.013) with 95% compared to 72%, 73%, 73%, and 87% the for DWI set, DWI-T2W-FS set, MDCT set, and MDCT-DWI set, respectively. The CE-MRI set had the highest sensitivity ( P≤0.012) for colorectal liver metastases &lt;10 mm with 87% compared to 55%, 52%, 23%, and 58% for the DWI set, DWI-T2W-FS set, MDCT set, and MDCT-DWI set, respectively. The MDCT-DWI set improved sensitivity overall and in size-dependent subgroup analyses compared to the MDCT set ( P ≤ 0.031). The MDCT-DWI set showed the highest specificity of 98% followed by 98%, 98%, 95%, and 88% for the DWI set, DWI-T2W-FS set, MDCT set, and CE-MRI set, respectively. Conclusion The less resource and time-consuming DWI sets are inferior to Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MRI for the detection of colorectal liver metastases. Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MRI with its excellent sensitivity should be the preferred preoperative modality when meticulous lesion identification is essential. Combination of DWI with MDCT improved significantly sensitivity compared to each modality alone.

The Disease-Free Interval Between Resection of Primary Colorectal Malignancy and the Detection of Hepatic Metastases Predicts Disease Recurrence But Not Overall Survival

IntroductionThe disease-free interval (DFI) between resection of primary colorectal cancer (CRC) and diagnosis of liver metastases is considered an important prognostic indicator; however, recent analyses in metastatic CRC found limited evidence to support this notion.ObjectiveThe current study aims to determine the prognostic value of the DFI in patients with resectable colorectal liver metastases (CRLM).MethodsPatients undergoing first surgical treatment of CRLM at three academic centers in The Netherlands were eligible for inclusion. The DFI was defined as the time between resection of CRC and detection of CRLM. Baseline characteristics and Kaplan–Meier survival estimates were stratified by DFI. Cox regression analyses were performed for overall (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS), with the DFI entered as a continuous measure using a restricted cubic spline function with three knots.ResultsIn total, 1374 patients were included. Patients with a shorter DFI more often had lymph node involvement of the primary, more frequently received neoadjuvant chemotherapy for CRLM, and had higher number of CRLM at diagnosis. The DFI significantly contributed to DFS prediction (p =0.002), but not for predicting OS (p =0.169). Point estimates of the hazard ratio (95% confidence interval) for a DFI of 0 versus 12 months and 0 versus 24 months were 1.284 (1.114–1.480) and 1.444 (1.180–1.766), respectively, for DFS, and 1.111 (0.928–1.330) and 1.202 (0.933–1.550), respectively, for OS.ConclusionThe DFI is of prognostic value for predicting disease recurrence following surgical treatment of CRLM, but not for predicting OS outcomes.

A prospective clinical study using a dynamic contrast-enhanced CT-protocol for detection of colorectal liver metastases

ObjectiveTo evaluate a dynamic contrast-enhanced CT-protocol and compare this method with standard of care monophasic portovenous CT for detection of colorectal liver metastases. Materials and methodsA dynamic contrast-enhanced CT protocol was developed to detect liver metastasis in patients suffering from colorectal cancer, in clinical practice.The study was approved by the Hospital Ethics Committee. Written informed consent was obtained from all patients. 135 patients were included in this prospective study. All patients were naive to treatment. A dynamic contrast-enhanced CT was performed, followed by routine monophasic portovenous CT of thorax-abdomen-pelvis. 42 of these patients presented with liver metastasis. The number and lesion conspicuity of detected liver metastasis on dynamic contrast-enhanced CT using perfusion maps, was compared to monophasic CT. Results135 patients were included, of which 42 presented with metastases to the liver. Dynamic contrast-enhanced CT outperformed portovenous CT for detection as well as conspicuity of colorectal liver metastasis, at a relatively low dose increment. Wilcoxon Signed Rank test had a p-value of 0.016 and <0.001 respectively for detection and conspicuity of colorectal liver metastasis. ConclusionDynamic contrast-enhanced CT increases the detection of colorectal liver metastasis, especially for lesions smaller than 15 mm, when compared to monophasic portovenous CT. Dynamic contrast-enhanced CT also has the added advantage of improved lesion conspicuity, which can positively influence reader confidence and clinical workflow.

Diagnostic accuracy of CE-CT, MRI and FDG PET/CT for detecting colorectal cancer liver metastases in patients considered eligible for hepatic resection and/or local ablation.

To compare the diagnostic performance of contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CE-CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and combined fluorodeoxyglucose/positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG-PET/CT) for detection of colorectal liver metastases (CRLM) in patients eligible for local treatment. This health-research ethics-committee-approved prospective consecutive diagnostic accuracy study, with written informed consent, included 80 cases (76 patients, four participating twice) between 29 June 2015 and 7 February 2017. Prior chemotherapy or local treatment did not exclude participation. Combined FDG-PET/CT including CE-CT and MRI was performed within 0-3 days shortly before local treatment. CE-CT and MRI images were read independently by two readers for each modality. The combined FDG-PET/CT images were read independently by two pairs of readers. A composite reference standard was used. Sensitivities, specificities and area under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUCROC) were calculated and compared. In total, 260 CRLMs were confirmed. The MRI readers had significantly higher per-lesion sensitivity (85.9% and 83.8%) than both CE-CT readers (69.1% and 62.3%) and both PET/CT reader pairs (72.0% and 72.1%) (p<0.001). There were no significant differences in per-lesion specificity. MRI readers had significantly higher AUCROC (0.92 and 0.88) than both CE-CT readers (0.80 and 0.82) (p≤0.001). AUCROC for MR reader 1 was higher than that of both PET/CT reader pairs (0.83 and 0.84) (p≤0.0001). MRI performed significantly better than both CE-CT and combined FDG-PET/CT for detection of CRLM in consecutive patients eligible for local treatment irrespective of prior chemotherapy or local treatment. • Patients eligible for local treatment of colorectal liver-metastases require optimal imaging. • In 80 consecutive patients, MRI had superior per lesion diagnostic performance. • Findings were independent of prior treatment and type of planned local treatment. • Equally, MRI had superior diagnostic performance on per segment basis.