MR imaging of the liver using short TI inversion recovery sequences.

Use of the short inversion time inversion recovery (STIR) sequence in magnetic resonance (MR) imaging of the liver is illustrated in 20 patients. The sequence provides high contrast images of the liver with relatively little degradation due to motion. Lesions appeared more extensive than with X-ray CT in 14 cases and equal in six. Additional areas of presumed atrophy, fatty infiltration, edema, or vascular insufficiency were only seen with MR. The STIR sequence may be valuable in screening of the liver for metastatic disease.