Cirrhosis and lesion characterization at MR imaging

Shahid M. Hussain, Caroline Reinhold, Donald G. Mitchell

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

65 Scopus citations

Abstract

Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging has emerged as an important imaging modality for the assessment of cirrhosis and its complications. Faster sequences now allow high-quality liver imaging with high intrinsic soft-tissue contrast. Automated contrast detection methods in combination with faster sequences allow reproducible capture of the arterial phase, which is essential for the detection and characterization of hepatocellular carcinoma. The lack of ionizing radiation permits routine use of gadolinium-enhanced three-dimensional (3D) fat-sup-pressed multiphasic imaging with high temporal and spatial resolution. In addition, MR imaging allows simultaneous evaluation of the background liver parenchyma and the liver lesions with the combined use of sequences that include T2-weighted sequences, T1-weighted sequences (including chemical shift imaging), echoplanar diffusionweighted sequences, dynamic gadolinium-enhanced 3D multiphasic imaging, and liver-specific delayed phase sequences (if contrast agents with hepatobiliary excretion are used). The combination of findings from different sequences often helps pinpoint the nature of the liver abnormalities.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1637-1652
Number of pages16
JournalRadiographics
Volume29
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 2009

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Radiology Nuclear Medicine and imaging

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