Liver I: Currently available gadolinium chelates

To use currently available gadolinium chelates most effectively, the liver should be imaged repetitively after contrast agent injection during hepatic arterial, portal vein, and delayed phases. Metastases usually demonstrate early as transient enhancement, which is often rim-shaped. Cavernous hemangiomas, however, demonstrate gradual clump-by-clump enhancement. Detection of hepatocellular carcinomas can be improved by use of dynamic scanning techniques. These and other principles of the use of currently available gadolinium chelates are reviewed in this article.