Home Body MR: no longer optional Abdominal MR angio: fast, reproducible, and safe Pancreatic MR defines ducts, pinpoints disease High-res images pinpoint small peritoneal tumors MRI identifies early liver cancer

Body MR: no longer optional By Jeffrey J. Brown, M.D. Clinical MR has been one of radiology's great success stories since its introduction in the mid-1980s. Few would dispute the enormous impact it's had on our ability to diagnose pathologic conditions of the brain, spine, and musculoskeletal system. Body MR, on the other hand, has lagged behind the other applications. Whereas MR has clear advantages over CT for central nervous system and musculoskeletal imaging, its superiority is less apparent in the abdomen. CT and ultrasound remain the dominant cross-sectional modalities for abdominal imaging. Yet, there are situations in which MR is a better choice. Patients with contraindications to iodinated contrast material are often better served by MR than CT. The FDA-approved extracellular gadolinium chelates are exceedingly safe and can be used in the setting of mild to moderate azotemia without causing further renal impairment. Furthermore, MR has some unique characteristics, many of which are highlighted in this supplement, that can be put to effective use in abdominal imaging. The articles that follow address selected topics of interest in body MR. As Dr. Narra explains in his timely summary, contrast-enhanced MRA techniques provide a robust and accurate depiction of the abdominal vasculature and can serve as an alternative to conventional angiography in some patients. Dr. Siegelman addresses pancreatic imaging, where MR can serve as a valuable adjunct to CT. Dr. Low, who has pioneered the use of contrast-enhanced MR for peritoneal imaging, explains how and when to perform this technique in your own practice. Finally, Dr. Krinsky offers insight into the role of MR imaging in evaluating patients with hepatic cirrhosis. Body MR has been neglected in many radiologic practices. This is due in part to scheduling backlogs that leave little magnet time for body cases. Body MR has also been hampered by confusing imaging protocols and strong competition from CT and ultrasound. We have reached a point, however, where it is no longer acceptable to ignore the vital role of MR in abdominal imaging. The following articles will provide a glimpse of the potential benefits that body MR can bring to your practice and your patients. Read them carefully-body MR is no longer optional. Jeffrey J. Brown, M.D., director of clinical research at the Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology and clinical advisor for this publication.