MR imaging evaluation of the hepatic vasculature

Assessment of the hepatic vasculature is essential for tumor staging, surgical planning, and understanding of liver disease. Technological advances have made contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance (MR) imaging comparable to multidetector-row computed tomography for diagnostic vascular imaging with respect to spatial resolution. Unenhanced MR angiographic sequences enable reasonable clinical assessment of vessels without contrast agents in patients with contraindications or renal insufficiency. Furthermore, MR angiography may be used to provide directional information through manipulation of the signal intensity of flowing blood. A major limitation to consistent contrast-enhanced MR angiography is the timing of MR image acquisition with arrival of the contrast bolus in the structures of interest. In this article, the authors discuss currently available techniques for imaging of the hepatic vasculature.