| Theme | How to Manage Distant Metastases from Gastrointestinal Cancer? | |
|---|---|---|
| Title | Imaging Diagnosis for Metastases of Gastrointestinal Cancer | |
| Publish Date | 2005/02 | |
| Author | Shigeru Kiryu | Deparfment of Radiology, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo |
| Author | Kuni Ohtomo | Department of Radiology, The University of Tokyo |
| [ Summary ] | The diagnosis of metastases of gastrointestinal carcinoma is important to create a strategy for treatment and to predict a prognosis for the patient. In clinical, CT and MRI are widely used for detecting metastases in the whole body. The imaging principles for CT and MRI are not identical, therefore it is necessary to understand the imaging findings from each modality respectively. The liver is the first common site for metastases. Ring-enhanced lesions are detected on contrast enhanced CT. CTAP is the most reliable technique to detect hepatic metastases. MRI is certainly as sensitive as CT in detecting hepatic metastases. Reticuloendothelial agent is used to detect hepatic metastases. For detecting the pulmonary metastases, CT is the most powerful tool. Metastatic lesions are usually multiple nodules, however, lymphangitic carcinomatosis is also frequent. For detecting bone metastases, MRI is the most sensitive method. MRI is used frequently for detecting brain metastases. | |