Improved Visualization of Hepatic Tumors in Magnetic Resonance–guided Thermoablation Using T1-inversion-recovery Imaging with Variable Inversion Time

In magnetic resonance (MR)–guided interventions, visualization of hepatic lesions may be difficult using standard unenhanced T1-weighted gradient-echo volume-interpolated breath-hold (VIBE) sequence due to low contrast. Inversion recovery (IR) imaging may have the potential to improve visualization without the necessity to apply contrast agent. Forty-four patients (mean age 64 years, female 33 • Inversion recovery imaging is promising to provide improved visualization of liver lesions in unenhanced MRI. • Planning and guidance during MR-guided interventions in the liver can be performed with greater confidence without necessity to apply contrast agent. • Low TI between 150 and 230 ms yields the highest contrast between liver parenchyma and malignant liver lesions.