Quantification of Hepatic Fat and Iron with Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging is a robust, noninvasive tool with the ability to perform a wide array of diagnostic functions within the abdomen. Over the last decade, there has been tremendous interest in the development of MR imaging based biomarkers for the qualitative and quantitative assessment of liver fat and iron. The abnormal accumulation of intracellular fat and iron within the liver can lead to chronic liver disease and increase the risk of developing cancer. This article reviews MRI techniques used to assess liver fat and iron.