skip to main content

Liver Metastasis Imaging — SCE Medical Oncology MCQ

Instant feedback + full explanation. One question, done properly.

ModerateGI CancersLiver Metastasis ImagingSCE Medical Oncology

A 65-year-old man with colon cancer has liver metastases assessed as potentially resectable. Before surgery, the hepatobiliary surgeon requests a liver MRI with hepatocyte-specific contrast agent (gadoxetate/Primovist). Why?

Educational content. Not a substitute for clinical judgement or local policy.

Reveal the answer and explanation

Correct answer: E — Primovist MRI has superior sensitivity for detecting sub-centimetre liver metastases compared with CT

Gadoxetate (Primovist/Eovist)-enhanced MRI provides hepatobiliary phase imaging with superior sensitivity for detecting small (<1 cm) colorectal liver metastases compared with CT or standard MRI contrast. It detects approximately 10-20% more lesions than CT alone, potentially changing surgical strategy (additional ablations, more extensive resection, or determining unresectability). This is now considered standard pre-operative imaging for colorectal liver metastasis resection planning.

Reference: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/conditions-and-diseases/cancer