Magnetic resonance of liver tumors: a preliminary report

Early experience in magnetic resonance (MR) images of the liver tumors is reported, based on 25 cases examined by a 0.35T superconducting machine (Magnetom, Siemens) using the spin echo technique. All main liver tumors were demonstrated as high intensity areas of varying degree in the spin echo image with a TR of 1,600 msec and a TE of 70 msec. All of them had prolonged T2 and T1. The smallest lesion detected on MR was 0.8 cm in diameter in the cases of multiple liver cysts and 1.5 cm in the cases of a solitary solid tumor. Normal vasculature of the liver was well-delineated, despite a far longer acquisition time compared with respiratory holding period. MR is a promising modality for liver imaging.