To describe the most frequent patterns of the Diffuse Liver Diseases (DFD) on MRI, CT and Ultrasound, in order to characterize and differentiate them from other diseases.

DLD may differ in their causes and extrahepatic manifestations, though clinical findings are often similar: increased liver size and consistency, associated to gradual deterioration of its function. Within the DLD may be originated from many different processes, such as vascular, infectious, toxic, neoplasic or metabolic processes among others.

Ultrasound examination is usually the first line method of choice, used when liver laboratory results are not clear, because its quickness and easiness. CT is a widely accepted method for diagnosing liver lesions but it has some disadvantages, such as radiation exposure or, in rare cases, allergic reaction to iodinated contrast. MRI has become a very effective method for detecting, locating and characterizing liver lesions, becoming the non-invasive diagnostic procedure of choice, and does not expose the patient to any radiation at all. Cirrhosis In...

MRI has a key role in diagnosing known or suspected DLD, because it has proved to be a helpful tool on differential diagnoses when considering their specific and typical behavior on different sequences and enhancement pattern after contrast media administration. Therefore, it is the method of choice when comparing sensitivity and specificity to other techniques, such as ultrasound or CT, because they could be unclear or not specific.

Jun Woo Lee, MD, Suk Kim, MD. Hepatic Capsular and Subcapsular Pathologic Conditions: Demonstration with CT and MR Imaging 2008; 28, 1307-1323. Sahani DV, Kalva SP. Imaging the liver. The oncologist 2004;9:385-97. Hussain S, Semelka R. Hepatic imaging: comparison of modalities. Radiol Clin N Am 2005;43:929-47. Martin D, Danrad R, Hussain S. MR imaging of the liver. Radiol Clin N Am 2005;43:861-86. Kamel IR, Bluemke DA. MR imaging of liver tumors. Radiol Clin N Am 2003;41:51–65. Danet I-M, Semelka R, Braga L. MR imaging of...