This large prospective international study reveals that combined MRI and CT imaging modestly improves the assessment of nonviability in disappearing colorectal liver metastases (DLMs) but with limited negative predictive value (NPV).
Confirmed disappearing liver metastases (cDLMs), defined by disappearance on both CT and MRI, still corresponded to viable disease in a substantial proportion of cases.
No significant survival advantage was observed in patients with all cDLMs resected compared to those with cDLMs left in situ after R0/1 resection, questioning the necessity of aggressive management for all cDLMs.
