ABSTRACT
Imaging of the liver has progressed rapidly during the past decade with continued
advancement of current ultrasound, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging
(MRI). Each modality not only has seen refinement enabling better anatomic characterization
of disease but also has received strength from the addition of new techniques to its
resources. New contrast agents have become available for all modalities and some agents,
particularly for MRI, have opened the way for better functional assessment. MRI continues
to see an elaboration of sequences (including spectroscopy and diffusion) that also
open imaging to the microscopic structure of disease and normal function. The further
development of workstations have improved both analysis and depiction of disease.
In the 21st century imaging will continue to shift from a simple source of anatomic
information to a more functional problem-solving tool.
KEYWORDS
Liver imaging - contrast agents - diffusion - spectroscopy - reformatting - computed
tomography - magnetic resonance imaging - ultrasound
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Emil CohenM.D.
Department of Radiology, Box 1234, Mount Sinai Medical Center, One Gustave L. Levy
Place
New York, NY 10029-6574
Email: emil.cohen@mountsinai.org