Evaluating the Sensitivity of Arterial Phase CT Images for Detection of Hepatic GIST Metastases

Gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) frequently metastasizes to the liver, and conventional staging computed tomography (CT) protocols use multiphasic contrast enhancement for detection of hepatic lesions. We evaluated the sensitivity of arterial phase CT imaging for hepatic GIST metastases compared with that of standard (portal venous [PV]) phase imaging. We conducted a retrospective review of patients who presented with hepatic GIST metastases identified on staging CT examinations between 2005 and 2015. Arterial and PV phase CT images were randomized and reviewed by 2 radiologists blinded to clinical history, correlative imaging, and number of controls. In total, 32 patients had hepatic metastases identified on multiphasic (arterial and PV) staging CT examinations. There was no significant difference in identification of metastases between arterial and PV phase imaging (31 vs 32, P = .32). Lesion size measurements did not significantly differ (P = .58). Arterial phase CT imaging did not significantly increase the sensitivity for hepatic GIST metastases compared with PV phase imaging alone.