The finding of a focal liver lesion (or lesions) is a commonly encountered clinical problem requiring accurate diagnosis in order to proceed with appropriate clinical management. Lesions are often discovered in patients who may or may not have underlying clinical conditions, such as chronic liver disease, on ultrasound or CT. However, the imaging features may be indeterminate requiring further characterization with MRI. There are multiple benign and malignant entities including; benign lesions such as hemangiomas, adenomas and fibronodular hyperplasia and malignant masses such as HCC, cholangiocarcinoma and metastases. Many of these have typical imaging features and can be readily diagnosed with MRI. The use of standard T1 and T2 weighted sequences plus DWI and hepatobiliary contrast agents can provide greater specificity. More recently the use of abbreviated protocols for abdominal MRI has been suggested to improve patient throughput and minimize the number of sequences required usually for follow-up of a previously diagnosed liver abnormality. MRI is an excellent tool for the diagnosis of underlying liver disease to confirm features of cirrhosis which predisposes to the development of lesions such as HCC. MRI is the preferred technique to triage patients for biopsy and to provide detailed information prior to surgical resection or to direct ongoing medical management.

Acknowledgements

No acknowledgement found.

References

No reference found.