Helical Computed Tomography Inaccuracy in the Detection of Pulmonary Metastases: Can It Be Improved?

Helical CT misses metastases in 46% to 47% of cases. Accuracy of preoperative CT scanning for detection of pulmonary metastases was not improved with the provision of clinical history to the reader, nor was it influenced by the interpreter's training. A combined approach to pulmonary metastasectomy including preoperative and postoperative CT as well as manual lung palpation is necessary to render the patient disease-free.