Subcapsular liver metastasis in ovarian cancer. Computed tomography and surgical staging

In 38 patients with surgically-staged ovarian carcinoma, the role of CT scan in diagnosis of subcapsular liver metastases as well as its importance in determining the stage of ovarian carcinoma were investigated. Assessment of the perihepatic space was not possible intraoperatively in 14% of the cases because of tumourous adhesions. Subcapsular metastases were revealed by CT scan in five (20%) patients whose livers were found normal during surgery (24 patients). In two of these (8%) the surgically-determined stage IIc had to be converted to stage III. These findings make a case for a more thorough visual examination of the dorsal surface of the liver during the staging process.