Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) imaging in the evaluation of the liver: a preliminary experience.

To determine the usefulness of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) in evaluation of the liver, 19 examinations were performed. A variety of pathological conditions were examined, and correlation was obtained with computed tomography, ultrasound, and radionuclide liver/spleen scanning. Nuclear magnetic resonance was as sensitive as the correlating imaging modalities in the detection of focal disease. Parenchymal abnormalities could be detected only in hemochromatosis. Several patients with diffuse disease did demonstrate evidence of portal hypertension, but no characteristic findings were noted within the liver parenchyma. Our preliminary investigation did not include T1 and T2 values and it is hoped that these will allow greater diagnostic utility in the detection of diffuse parenchymal disease.