Magnetic resonance imaging of liver malignancies.
The histological structure of the liver is complex, consisting of hepatocytes, biliary epithelium, and mesenchymal cells. From this large variety of cells, a broad spectrum of benign and malignant liver lesions in originate. An accurate diagnosis of these lesions is mandatory for choosing an appropriate therapeutic approach. With the recent developments in hardware and software, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has emerged as the method of choice in the diagnostic workup of focal liver lesions, in particular in the pretherapeutic stage. The introduction of high-field MRI at 3.0 T in the routine workup and the selective use of liver-specific contrast agents, including hepatobiliary and reticuloendothelial agents, have also strengthened the role of MRI in liver imaging. In this overview article, we will review the recent developments in 3.0-T MRI and MRI contrast agents in the diagnostic workup of the most common malignant liver tumors.
Ba-Ssalamah
Ahmed
A
Department of Radiology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria. ahmed.ba-ssalamah@meduniwien.ac.at
Fakhrai
Negar
N
Matzek
Wolfgang K
WK
Herneth
Andreas M
AM
Stadler
Alfred
A
Bastati
Nina
N
Herold
Christian J
CJ
Schima
Wolfgang
W
D003287:Contrast Media; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis / Q000175:diagnosis; D009367:Neoplasm Staging
D003287:Contrast Media