plain abdominal x-ray - may demonstrate calcification within the liver (sunburst lesion)
plain chest x-ray - for metastases
abdominal ultrasound - tumour shown as a hypo-echoic shadow with ill-defined margins; lesions less than 2cm may be revealed
CT - tumour appears as a hypodense lesion which does not enhance with contrast. Detection may be improved by injecting the hepatic artery with lipiodol which is cleared only from non-cancerous tissue
MRI - may be more sensitive than CT, particularly if fatty liver co-exists
hepatic angiography - valuable in diagnosis, localisation and ascertainment of operability as the tumour is supplied by the hepatic artery
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