The hyper and hypointense parts of the liver T2-MRI?

mrphys · Joined: 12 Sep 2008 Posts: 8

Hi!

I'm working in the field of MR physics and am trying to learn more about liver anatomy. In the T2-images:

http://www3.americanradiology.com/imggallery/RADIOLOGY/mri/T2AXFSE.jpg

I see hyperintense regions in the liver. But I also see that the aorta, vena cava, and regions of the liver are hypointense.

What are the hyper and hypo intense regions in the liver?

Thankyou,
mrphys

mrphys · Joined: 12 Sep 2008 Posts: 8

Well, I'm not getting far here. I think most of the hyperintense areas in the liver are bloodvessels. The larger hypointense oval regions must also be bloodvessels, probably due to a signal void effect of blood flow perpendicular to the slice. As for the myriad of dark-grey and light-grey regions in the liver, they must be tissue perfused by microcirculation.
Not sure about the identification of bile ducts though.

I wish there was a book/website that explained all this in detail. I do have general MR anatomy books but they don't give too many details.