Physics Insights into Liver MRI: Educational Guidance for Protocol Optimization

MRI is the modality of choice for detection, characterization, and noninvasive diagnosis of focal liver observations. It offers excellent tissue contrast using multiple sequences and postcontrast multiphasic imaging. However, its diagnostic accuracy depends on appropriate selection of pulse sequences and imaging parameters. Poorly acquired images or suboptimal sequence parameter selection can lead to medical errors, such as missed lesions and inaccurate characterization of focal liver observations. A solid understanding of applied MRI physics can help optimize image quality and prevent such errors. In this educational review, the authors aim to (a) guide radiologists in assessing MRI quality, (b) promote effective communication using appropriate terminology when collaborating with technologists and medical physicists, and (c) establish a reference liver MRI protocol. First, they detail metrics of MRI quality-contrast-to-noise ratio, spatial resolution, and signal-to-noise ratio-along with the impact of key technical parameters on acquisition time and step-by-step guidance for improving image quality. Second, they review the range of pulse sequences used in liver MRI, discussing their respective strengths and limitations in achieving optimal imaging quality. Third, they address key ancillary considerations for performance of liver MRI, including fat suppression techniques, respiratory motion suppression strategies, and acceleration methods. ^©RSNA, 2026 Supplemental material is available for this article.