Hepatic imaging in the 21st century.

Imaging of the liver has progressed rapidly during the past decade with continued advancement of current ultrasound, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Each modality not only has seen refinement enabling better anatomic characterization of disease but also has received strength from the addition of new techniques to its resources. New contrast agents have become available for all modalities and some agents, particularly for MRI, have opened the way for better functional assessment. MRI continues to see an elaboration of sequences (including spectroscopy and diffusion) that also open imaging to the microscopic structure of disease and normal function. The further development of workstations have improved both analysis and depiction of disease. In the 21st century imaging will continue to shift from a simple source of anatomic information to a more functional problem-solving tool.