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Imaging Characteristics of Normal Liver and Liver Tumors

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Radiation Therapy for Liver Tumors

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Abstract

The liver is located in the epigastrium and right hypochondrium and is bordered superiorly by the diaphragm. It is divided into eight functional segments according to blood supply; this facilitates tumor localization and surgical planning. Modalities used to image the liver are ultrasonography (US), computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), nuclear imaging, and invasive angiography. Generally, MRI and CT are the modalities of choice for imaging liver cirrhosis and its complications. The characterization and staging of liver malignancies such as hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), cholangiocarcinoma, and liver metastases are also preferably done by MRI and CT; Ultrasound and nuclear imaging are less specific, while invasive angiography is reserved mainly for therapeutic procedures for HCC.

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Abbreviations

US:

Ultrasound

CT:

Computed tomography

MRI:

Magnetic resonance imaging

FDG-PET:

Fluorodeoxyglucose, positron emission tomography

MDCT:

Multidetector computed tomography

MRCP:

Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography

ERCP:

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography

GRE:

Gradient recalled echo

DWI:

Diffusion-weighted imaging

ADC:

Apparent diffusion coefficient

HCC:

Hepatocellular carcinoma

IVC:

Inferior vena cava

RES:

Reticuloendothelial system

TIPS:

Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt

GI:

Gastrointestinal

AASLD:

American Association for the Study of Liver Disease

LI-RADS:

Liver imaging reporting and data system

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiology, American University of Beirut Medical Centre, Bliss Street, Beirut, 1107 2020, Lebanon

    Ali A. Haydar MD, MRCP, FRCR

  2. Department of Diagnostic Radiology, American University of Beirut Medical Center, 2139 Orchard Lakes Pl E, Apt 31, Toledo, OH, 43615, USA

    Layla Antoine Nasr MD

  3. Department of Radiology, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, MI, USA

    Hero K. Hussain MD, FRCR, FACR

Authors
  1. Ali A. Haydar MD, MRCP, FRCR
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  2. Layla Antoine Nasr MD
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  3. Hero K. Hussain MD, FRCR, FACR
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ali A. Haydar MD, MRCP, FRCR .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA

    Jeffrey Meyer

  2. Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Colorado Comprehensive Cancer Center, Aurora, Colorado, USA

    Tracey Schefter

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Haydar, A.A., Nasr, L.A., Hussain, H.K. (2017). Imaging Characteristics of Normal Liver and Liver Tumors. In: Meyer, J., Schefter, T. (eds) Radiation Therapy for Liver Tumors. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-54531-8_2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-54531-8_2

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

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  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-54531-8

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