Diffusion-weighted Imaging of the Liver: Primed for New Business

Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) is an MRI sequence that leverages the spatial encoding of MRI gradients to image the microscopic movement of water in tissue. DWI can be used to detect pathologic abnormalities with high cellularity, such as cancer, and it can serve as a quantitative imaging biomarker. In the liver, DWI has an established role in lesion detection and characterization. DWI has the potential to serve as a cost-effective strategy for cancer surveillance, quantitative assessment of diffuse parenchymal disease, and response to therapies. Despite its advantages, liver DWI remains technically challenging. This review article discusses current state-of-the-art liver DWI in the context of established and potential future applications.