Hepatic fat-content assessment using magnetic resonance-based methods

Magnetic resonance (MR)-based methods are increasingly used for liver fat quantification as a noninvasive alternative to liver biopsy in diagnostic studies, observational studies and clinical trials. Many studies have addressed the diagnostic accuracy of MR-based methods and of other noninvasive imaging methods (CT and ultrasound). Important advantages of MR-based methods over CT and ultrasound are their quantitative nature and lack of ionizing radiation exposure. In this article, we give an overview of the most commonly available MR-based techniques (MRI and MR spectroscopy) for liver fat detection and quantification. Technical aspects, advantages, disadvantages and diagnostic accuracies are also discussed.