Errors in the Diagnosis of Hepatic Neoplasms

Abstract

The diagnosis of hepatic neoplasms represents a challenging issue in abdominal radiology as it requires the careful analysis of multiple clinical and imaging parameters. First of all, the radiologist should have at hand precise clinical information, such as the patient’s age, sex, clinical history, lab test results, and clinical presentation [1]. Then, findings of previous imaging tests should be accurately reviewed. This is followed by choosing the most accurate imaging modality allowing characterization of the (suspected) hepatic neoplasm. The imaging protocol, including acquisition parameters and contrast medium choice, needs to be tailored to the patient’s case. The final, and obviously important, step is the image review. Image interpretation is strongly influenced by the radiologist’s experience. It requires a systematic approach in which all imaging findings are accurately reviewed and interpreted, leading to the correct diagnosis. The latter is achieved when it has been clearly demonstrated that the lesion shows the typical findings and clinical history described in the literature. However, there will also be many cases requiring that the radiologist is aware of the limits of diagnostic imaging, as in the case of a hepatic tumor with an atypical appearance or a mismatch between the imaging findings and the clinical data.