Hepatic abscesses: MR imaging findings.

OBJECTIVE

To determine magnetic resonance (MR) imaging features that characterize hepatic abscesses.

METHODS

Clinical records and MR studies of 18 patients with proved hepatic abscesses were evaluated. The abscesses were pyogenic in 15 patients, fungal in two patients, and amebic in one patient.

RESULTS

A total of 122 lesions were identified. Most were round (n = 114) with sharp borders (n = 99), hypointense on T1-weighted images (n = 73), and very hyperintense on T2-weighted images (n = 88). After injection of gadopentetate dimeglumine in 43 lesions, all 43 enhanced with sharp margins and 37 showed rim enhancement. All abscesses followed up diminished in size (50 of 50), and perilesional edema resolved before the central cavity did.

CONCLUSIONS

MR imaging findings seen in hepatic abscesses include high signal intensity on T2-weighted images (72%) and perilesional edema (43 of 122 [35%]). Rim enhancement (86%) and increased conspicuity (35 of 43 [81%]) were found after injection of gadopentetate dimeglumine.