Didier Mathieu is a Professor of Medicine and Radiology at the Centre d’Imagerie, Aix en Provence, France. The focus of his clinical research has been the diagnosis and treatment of liver tumours and the recognition and understanding of hepatic vascular disorders. He has published data on colour Doppler ultrasound, computerised tomography and magnetic resonance findings of benign liver lesions in Radiology, and their clinical management in Gastroenterology, the Lancet and the New England Journal of Medicine, from both multi-centre and national studies conducted in Europe and France.

Abstract
The development of ultrasound, computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques, especially with the advent of specific contrast media, has improved the detection and diagnosis of liver metastases. Ultrasound (US) had a reputation for low sensitivity in the depiction of liver metastases, however, as a result of recent use of contrast media, it is now associated with improved detection rates and increased specificity. The introduction of multi-slice CT has allowed increased detection of multiple hepatic nodules and improved imaging of hepatic vascularisation. Magnetic resonance imaging is known for distinguishing liver metastases from other lesions, even with standard protocols and conventional contrast media. However, the development of hepatocyte-specific and reticulo-endothelial system-specific contrast media is producing even greater diagnostic accuracy. This article reviews the advantages and disadvantages of these techniques in the characterisation of hepatic metastatic lesions.