An experimental approach of the Doppler perfusion index of the liver in detecting occult hepatic metastases: histological findings related to the hemodynamic measurements in Wistar rats

Image-directed colour Doppler sonography has been successfully introduced for the detection of hepatic haemodynamic changes in the presence of liver metastases. The aim of our study was to correlate these haemodynamic changes with the liver histology at the time of measurement. We experimentally induced liver metastases in 30 male Wistar rats by inoculating Walker 256 tumour subcutaneously. The animals were assigned into three groups of ten and were studied sonographically at 4, 7 and 15 days after tumour implantation. Another group of ten normal animals were used as controls. Portal vein and hepatic artery measurements included resistance index (PVRI, HARI) and flow volume (PVFV, HAFV). Doppler perfusion index (DPI) of the liver was calculated as the ratio of HAFV/PVFV + HAFV. Liver histology followed each Doppler measurement. Metastases were first encountered on day 4, as small groups of cells in the connective tissue of the porta hepatis and the portal triads without apparent vascular association. Distinct elevation of HAFV and DPI was recorded in comparison with the controls (p = 0.0004 and p = 0.0005, respectively). PVFV reduction was subtle. Up to day 15 there were no significant changes in the measurements. Our data suggest that HAFV and DPI can efficiently detect early liver metastases and this is in accordance with existing clinical reports. Haemodynamic changes seem to originate from the early non-vascular phase of the metastases. Received: 8 March 1999; Revision received: 30 March 1999; Accepted: 4 June 1999