Why contrast phases are important
The liver has a dual blood supply, so formations accumulate contrast differently in the arterial, venous and delayed phases. It is the nature of this accumulation that makes it possible to distinguish hemangioma from metastasis, and focal nodular hyperplasia from hepatocellular cancer - often without a biopsy. The same principle works for the pancreas and kidneys. This is the main method for oncological search and monitoring after treatment.
Possibilities of MRI of internal organs
MRI has the best soft tissue contrast among all methods. This makes it possible to differentiate structures that look the same on ultrasound and CT: for example, to distinguish a liver hemangioma from a metastasis, a cyst from a solid formation, a benign uterine tumor from a malignant one.
A separate advantage is the absence of radiation exposure, which is important for repeated studies over time and in young patients.
Main indications
- clarification of the nature of formations of the liver, pancreas, kidneys and adrenal glands
- diagnosis of bile duct diseases without intervention
- assessment of the prevalence of the tumor process and staging
- pathology of the uterus, ovaries and prostate gland
- inflammatory bowel diseases
- control after surgery, chemotherapy or radiation therapy
The role of contrast
Intravenous contrast makes it possible to assess the nature of the blood supply to the formation by accumulation phases - this is what most often provides an answer about its nature. Therefore, during oncological searches and clarifying diagnostics, the study is almost always performed with contrast.