Springer Verlag, Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery, 2(17), p. 281-287
DOI: 10.1007/s11605-012-2043-y
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AIMS: The aim of this study was to evaluate the ability of contrast-enhanced intraoperative ultrasonography to detect colorectal liver metastases after preoperative chemotherapy compared with intraoperative ultrasound and preoperative imaging techniques. METHODS: From January 2010 to December 2011, 28 patients with colorectal liver metastases underwent intraoperative ultrasonography and contrast-enhanced intraoperative ultrasonography during hepatectomy following preoperative chemotherapy. The findings were compared to preoperative imaging using contrast-enhanced ultrasonography, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and/or fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography. RESULTS: Preoperative imaging techniques detected 58 metastatic lesions in 28 patients. In 32 \% of patients (n = 9), intraoperative ultrasound detected 24 missed hepatic nodules. In 14 \% of patients (n = 4), contrast-enhanced intraoperative ultrasonography detected an additional six nodules and change in operative management occurred in 18 \% of patients. Using univariate analysis, we found three factors significantly related to detection of additional metastases with contrast-enhanced intraoperative ultrasonography: three or more metastases before chemotherapy (p = 0.047), resolution of at least one metastasis (p = 0.011), and small liver metastases (largest lesion size ≤20 mm) after chemotherapy (p = 0.007). CONCLUSION: In patients undergoing surgery for colorectal liver metastases after chemotherapy, contrast-enhanced intraoperative ultrasonography improved both the sensitivity of intraoperative ultrasonography to detect liver metastases and the R0 hepatic resection rate.