Evaluation of computed tomography in patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis

Abstract

Background. Radiologic tests to determine the size and location of cancer on peritoneal surfaces are needed for patient management and for clinical research activity. Methods. Computed tomography (CT) of the abdomen and pelvis were obtained on 45 patients with a diagnosis of peritoneal carcinomatosis before implementation of a complete exploratory laparotomy with biopsy or resection of all tissues suspicious of malignancy. CT findings and surgical findings were recorded and the data analyzed by dividing the abdomen into 9 regions or into 15 anatomic sites. Results. In an overall patient analysis, the sensitivity was 79%. In the nine different abdominal regions, sensitivity was greater than 80% in the right flank, left flank, and right lower and left lower abdominal regions. Sensitivity was lowest in the pelvis (60%). Negative predictive value in the pelvis was 20%. The volume of tumor present within an abdominal region or anatomic site greatly influenced the sensitivity. A sensitivity of only 28% was recorded when tumor nodules were less than 0.5 cm in thickness. This increased to 90% when nodule thickness was greater than 5 cm. Conclusions. CT is not a reliable diagnostic test for low volume tumor on peritoneal surfaces, and the greatest inaccuracies were recorded in the pelvis. Its diagnostic value increased as tumor volume increased.

Endoscopic ultrasound‐guided paracentesis of ascitic fluid

“…12 However, the sensitivity of CT in the diagnosis of peritoneal carcinomatosis is generally low and is related to the tumor size; it ranges from 28% for implants <0.5 cm to 57% and 79% with larger tumor implants. 13 Transabdominal ultrasound can also be used to detect the presence of intraperitoneal fluid, depending on the location of the fluid in the abdominal cavity; however, it usually requires an accumulation of several hundred milliliters of fluid before ascites can be observed. 14 EUS has been reported to be more sensitive for the detection of ascitic fluid.…”

A new scoring system for peritoneal metastasis in gastric cancer

“…Jacquet et al [11] demonstrated that diagnostic imaging showed only 50% accuracy for lesions from 0.5 to 5 cm in diameter, while above 5 cm the accuracy was 90%. Exploratory laparoscopy is a less invasive method to assess PM than open laparotomy, and laparoscopy matches laparotomy in capacity to diagnoste PM [12].…”

Preoperative Assessment of Cancer Patients with Peritoneal Metastases for Complete Cytoreduction

“…These observations were prospectively recorded for the CT and were compared to those observed at the time of abdominal exploration and during the cytoreductive surgical procedure. Figure 6 shows the results of this study [15].…”