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Review
. 2016 Nov 28;8(11):857-867.
doi: 10.4329/wjr.v8.i11.857.

Diffusion-weighted imaging of the liver: Current applications

Kazuhiro Saito  1 , Yu Tajima  1 , Taiyo L Harada  1
Affiliations
Review

Diffusion-weighted imaging of the liver: Current applications

Kazuhiro Saito et al. World J Radiol. .

Abstract

Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) of the liver can be performed using most commercially available machines and is currently accepted in routine sequence. This sequence has some potential as an imaging biomarker for fibrosis, tumor detection/characterization, and following/predicting therapy. To improve reliability including accuracy and reproducibility, researchers have validated this new technique in terms of image acquisition, data sampling, and analysis. The added value of DWI in contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging was established in the detection of malignant liver lesions. However, some limitations remain in terms of lesion characterization and fibrosis detection. Furthermore, the methodologies of image acquisition and data analysis have been inconsistent. Therefore, researchers should make every effort to not only improve accuracy and reproducibility but also standardize imaging parameters.

Keywords: Diffusion weighted imaging; Fibrosis; Lesion characterization; Liver.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict-of-interest statement: Authors declare no conflict of interests for this article.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
A 65-year-old man with metastatic tumor in the liver from colorectal carcinoma. A: T2-weighted imaging shows an obvious hyperintense lesion on segment VII (arrow); B: DWI (b-value of 800 s/mm2) shows hyperintensity; C: Apparent diffusion coefficient map also shows hyperintensity. This finding mimics that for hemangioma. DWI: Diffusion-weighted imaging.
Figure 2
Figure 2
A 45-year-old man with focal nodular hyperplasia. A: Hepatobiliary phase on Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MRI shows mainly hyperintensity on the outer layer and hypointensity on the inner layer. These enhancement patterns are typical radiologic findings of focal nodular hyperplasia; B: DWI (b-value of 800 s/mm2) shows hyperintensity; C: ADC map shows heterogeneous hyperintensity. The ADC is 1.40 × 10-3 mm2/s. Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MRI is more useful for obtaining a precise diagnosis than DWI alone. MRI: Magnetic resonance imaging; DWI: Diffusion-weighted imaging; ADC: Apparent diffusion coefficient.
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