ABSTRACT
Disease in the abdomen and pelvis is frequent in patients with metastatic melanoma (MM). Multidetector row computed tomography is the imaging modality of choice for diagnosis and follow-up of MM. However, positron emission tomographic scan may be used as well as other newer imaging modalities, particularly for imaging of the abdominal and pelvic metastases. The aim if this exhibit is to review the distribution and features of melanoma metastases to the abdomen and pelvis as well as the role of currently available imaging modalities.
Subject(s)
Abdominal Neoplasms/secondary , Melanoma/diagnosis , Melanoma/secondary , Pelvic Neoplasms/diagnosis , Pelvic Neoplasms/secondary , Skin Neoplasms/pathology , Abdominal Neoplasms/diagnosis , Abdominal Neoplasms/diagnostic imaging , Contrast Media , Humans , Lymphatic Metastasis , Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Melanoma/diagnostic imaging , Multidetector Computed Tomography , Pelvic Neoplasms/diagnostic imaging , Positron-Emission Tomography , UltrasonographyABSTRACT
The purpose of our study was to prospectively compare unenhanced ultrasonography (US) to contrast-enhanced US (CEUS) in the detection of hepatic metastases from carcinoid tumor. Thirty patients with carcinoid tumor prospectively underwent US, CEUS, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Differences in sensitivity at US and CEUS were compared using a combination of the results of MR imaging, fine-needle biopsy, and follow-up imaging. Lesion conspicuity was assessed subjectively for US and CEUS. Seventeen patients had a total of 69 hepatic metastases. The addition of CEUS improved the detection of individual metastases from 47 (Se 68%; 95% CI: 57.0, 79.0) to 68 (Se 99%; 99% CI: 96.7, 100.0). Contrast enhancement improved the subjective conspicuity of metastases in 85% of patients. CEUS showed one more metastasis than did MRI in one patient, and MRI showed one more than did CEUS in one patient. CEUS is more sensitive than US in the detection of carcinoid liver metastases.
