Fast magnetic resonance imaging of liver

Eur J Radiol. 1999 Mar;29(3):186-210. doi: 10.1016/s0720-048x(98)00176-4.

Abstract

Recent magnetic resonance (MR) units with a stronger gradient system have allowed various fast MR imaging techniques to develop. These fast scan techniques have easily realized breath-holding acquisition in the liver and the image quality has been greatly improved without sacrificing spatial resolution. The majority of the fast imaging techniques have been devoted to T2-weighted imaging to obtain useful T2-weighted images in the shortest possible time. Among the fast sequences, fast spin-echo (FSE) sequence is the most promising technique and allows high-quality T2-weighted images with reduced motion artifacts. However, FSE sequences using multiple refocused pulses may essentially realize only poor soft-tissue contrast due to magnetization transfer and T2-filtering effects, and therefore, echo-planar (EP) imaging is expected to provide high image contrast. In addition, single-shot EP imaging allows even diffusion-weighted (DW) and perfusion-weighted (PW) imaging in the liver due to its short scanning time. Recent development of fast gadolinium-enhanced 3D MR angiography has also impacted liver imaging. Combined with such gadolinium-enhanced 3D-MRA sequences and zerofilling image interpolation technique, biphasic gadolinium-enhanced 3D-MRA (whole-liver dynamic MR imaging in the arterial phase and MR portography in the portal phase) can be obtained.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Contrast Media
  • Echo-Planar Imaging
  • Humans
  • Liver / pathology*
  • Liver Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Magnetic Resonance Angiography*
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods*

Substances

  • Contrast Media