Liver MRI: Info and Get a Scan

It is estimated up to 9.5 per cent of the global population has some form of liver disease. This can be caused by alcohol, hepatitis, diabetes, or obesity. Some indicators of liver disease can also be signs of liver cancer.

If you are experiencing signs or symptoms consistent with liver damage, or any intense pain in your abdomen your doctor may order a liver MRI.

Follow along to learn about what a liver MRI can show, how to prepare for the procedure and why you may need one in the first place.

What is a Liver MRI Scan

MRI technology uses radio waves and a strong magnetic field to create detailed images of the inside of the body, including the internal organs. An MRI of the liver is a non-invasive method used to help doctors diagnose various liver disorders such as chronic hepatitis, liver fibrosis, liver cancer and other conditions affecting liver health.

What does a Liver MRI Scan Show?

A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan of the liver will highlight the lobes of the liver as well as some of the surrounding structures in your abdomen. These include:

• Blood vessels
• Fat deposits
• Gallbladder
• Stomach

A liver MRI provides high contrast images of the liver that allows a radiologist to identify abnormalities.

Why Do I Need a Liver MRI?

Your doctor may order an MRI scan to identify the cause of various symptoms including:

• Jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes)
• Swelling in legs or ankles
• Dark urine colour
• Constant fatigue
• Loss of appetite
• Itchy skin

These can be signs of fatty liver disease or other liver damage. An MRI can be used to identify if this is the cause of your symptoms.

MRI has proven to be one of the most useful tools in early liver cancer detection. The high contrast can show nuanced changes in the liver and identify small growths.

What a Liver MRI Scan Can Diagnose

An MRI may be used on its own, or alongside other liver imaging tests, a liver biopsy and liver function blood tests, to diagnose the following liver disorders: 

• Liver Tumours - abnormal growths in the liver tissue that can be cancerous (malignant) or non-cancerous (benign). 

• Liver Metastases - cancerous tumours in the liver that have spread from cancer elsewhere in the body. 

• Cirrhosis - causes scarring (fibrosis) and stiffness in the liver tissue, and is often related to alcohol abuse, chronic hepatitis B or C or hepatic iron overload (excess iron in the liver) and can lead to liver failure. 

• Fatty Liver Disease (FLD) - also known as hepatic steatosis, this is a condition that causes fatty buildup in the liver and is linked to alcohol abuse. (This differs from non alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), also known as non alcoholic steatohepatitis that’s usually linked to being overweight and having excess subcutaneous adipose tissue, or fat under the skin. FLD and NAFLD are both examples of diffuse liver disease that affects all or a large part of the liver.)

• Hepatitis - caused by the hepatitis virus A, B or C, and leads to inflammation of the liver. 

• Liver Cysts - fluid-filled sacs that form in the liver. Most remain small and cause no symptoms, but they can become larger and cause pain, swelling and jaundice. 

• Haemangiomas - common, non-cancerous liver tumours that rarely cause symptoms and are usually only discovered when investigating other liver conditions. 

• Focal Nodular Hyperplasia - like haemangiomas (see above), focal nodular hyperplasia causes non-cancerous tumours in the liver that are asymptomatic (cause no symptoms). 

• Hepatocellular Carcinoma - the most common type of liver cancer. Symptoms include abdominal pain under the ribs on the right hand side, swelling of the abdomen, jaundice, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite and weight loss. 

• Bile Duct Obstruction - commonly caused by gallstones, a bile duct obstruction causes upper abdominal pain on the right side, jaundice, itching skin, nausea and tiredness. 

How Do You Know If Your Liver Is Inflamed?

There are some common symptoms to indicate you may have an inflamed liver. If you experience the following:

• Fatigue
• Feeling full very quickly after eating
• Jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes)
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Pain in the abdomen

Abdomen pain associated with the inflamed liver can appear as a dull ache or a stabbing sensation that knocks the wind out of you. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms together, it can be a sign of an inflamed liver. It is important to contact your doctor as soon as possible if you have any abnormal symptoms.

How Do I Prepare For a Liver MRI scan?

Before your liver MRI, you will need to abstain from eating or drinking for approximately 4 hours–the length may differ for each MRI centre.

Upon arrival, you will be asked to fill out a medical questionnaire.

It is important to inform the radiographer if you have any allergies to medication. Since contrast material may be used during the procedure, it’s important to note if you have any allergies to it or any other medication. MRI’s can affect the settings of a pacemaker or defibrillator. Please inform the staff if you have any of these medical devices. Metal objects can also affect the results of the scan, therefore it’s necessary to indicate if you have any artificial metal joints, stints, or screws.

You should also inform the technician if you are pregnant. There has been no link between MRI scans and birth defects. However, it is important to provide a comprehensive medical history to the clinic.

Equipment Used

An MRI machine is a large, doughnut-shaped medical instrument. Attached is a flat medical table that slowly moves patients in and out of the MRI scanner, and computers capture detailed images ready for analysis by a radiographer. 

Benefits

An MRI of the liver is a quick and painless procedure that is routinely used, sometimes alongside other tests and scans, to diagnose acute and chronic liver diseases. Most patients are suitable for MRI scanning. 

Unlike other imaging tests such as x-rays and CT scans (computed tomography), an MRI scan doesn’t use ionising radiation, so there’s no risk of radiation exposure. 

Risks

Although considered safe for most people, there are a few things to consider before having an MRI scan of the liver:

• An MRI machine is a closed environment, and those with claustrophobia or who struggle to remain still may find this challenging. Your doctor may, however, be able to supply you with a mild sedative to help you relax.

• Magnetic metallic objects cannot be taken into an MRI scanner. Inform your medical team if you have any metallic implants or shards of metal inside your body. 

• Some people are allergic to the dyes used in a contrast MRI and may not know it (not all MRI scans use contrast agents, but your doctor will let you know). You’ll be monitored, but symptoms include feeling flushed, sweaty and breathless with a metallic taste in the mouth. If you begin to develop these symptoms, or you feel at all unwell throughout your scan, let your radiographer know immediately. 

The Procedure Explained: What to Expect

1. Change Into a Hospital Gown - wearing a loose-fitting gown is beneficial for both your comfort throughout your scan and diagnostic accuracy, as better, clearer images can be captured

2. Remove All Metal Objects - all jewellery, watches and removable metallic items such as hearing aids must be removed. Metallic implants, such as stents, valves, meshes, pacemakers and cochlear implants may still be safe, but need to be discussed with your medical team before your scan starts. 

3. Lie Down With Abdomen Positioned in the Scanner - you’ll be helped onto the MRI table and positioned flat on your back with your head closest to the scanner. 

4. Contrast Injection (If needed) - some advanced MRI methods for liver scanning require a contrast agent (also known as a contrast dye) that better highlights blood flow through the portal vein that feeds the liver. If you’re having a contrast dye MRI, it will be injected into a vein, usually in your arm, through a flexible tube before the scan starts. 

5. Breathing Instructions - you’ll be required to remain still throughout the scan, and you’ll be given earphones or a headset to help reduce the loud knocking sound of the MRI scanner. You’ll be able to communicate with your radiographer through an intercom, and they may ask you to hold your breath for a few seconds at various times. 

6. Scan Takes Place - the MRI table will slowly move you into the scanner for the scan to take place.

How Long Does A Liver MRI Take?

A liver MRI can take approximately 10–30 minutes. The procedure will require you to remain as still as possible. Sudden movement can result in blurred images and the scan will need to be repeated. A contrast IV may need to be administered to highlight certain structures. If this is the case the scan may take a few extra minutes to allow the contrast material to make its way around the body.

What Happens After a Liver MRI Scan

Once your radiographer is happy they have enough detailed images, the scan will be over and you’ll be able to get up and dressed. If you’ve had a contrast agent, you’ll be asked to remain in the clinic for half an hour to check for signs of an allergy. If you’re otherwise fit and well, you’ll be able to return home and to your normal duties the same day. 

Getting the Results

Your radiographer will send your MRI images to a radiologist, who will take a look, possibly alongside a specialist liver consultant in order to make a diagnosis. Your referring doctor will then contact you to discuss your results and any other tests you may need, such as magnetic resonance elastography, or MRE. MRE is a type of MRI scan that measures the stiffness of the liver tissue, along with other tests called transient elastography. A high reading can indicate cirrhosis. 

Costs

A private liver MRI scan starts at around £300 in the UK. If you need other tests alongside your MRI, they will be charged extra. 

Get a Liver MRI Scan

Having symptoms consistent with liver conditions is worrying, but early detection and diagnosis are key to getting the right treatment. Book a private liver MRI scan with us, and we’ll help you get the answers you need. 

In Summary

Liver damage is a serious medical concern and requires quick intervention. An MRI can help diagnose potential liver abnormalities. At Scan.com, you can avoid the wait times of the NHS and book an appointment in as little as 5 working days. With centres located around the UK, we can make your MRI experience as convenient as possible. If you have any additional questions, please contact us, our team is ready to answer any concerns you may have.

FAQs

Does Your Whole Body Go In for Liver MRI?

No, you will enter the MRI scanner lying flat on your back, head first, up to your abdomen. Your lower body won’t enter the MRI machine. 

What Does a Liver MRI With Contrast Show?

A liver MRI with contrast highlights blood flow through the liver, the structure and function of the blood vessels, any tumours or other abnormal growths present and fatty liver disease. 

How Long Does a Liver MRI Scan Take?

A liver MRI takes between 10 and 30 minutes. Your appointment may take up to an hour, or longer if you have a contrast dye. 

Can MRI Detect Liver Cirrhosis?

Yes, a liver MRI can detect stiffness and fibrosis (scarring) that can indicate cirrhosis. 

What Is a Liver MRI With Hepatobiliary Contrast?

This kind of specialised MRI scan uses a contrast agent to highlight the functioning of the biliary system - the production and movement of bile from the liver to the bile ducts. 

References

1. https://www.mercycare.org/app/files/public/6554/MRI-Liver-Spleen-Kidney-Pancreas-or-Common-Bile-Duct-With-or-Without-Contrast.pdf
2. https://www.dovepress.com/basic-mri-for-the-liver-oncologists-and-surgeons-peer-reviewed-fulltext-article-JHC
3. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/liver-problems/symptoms-causes/syc-20374502
4. https://www.gehealthcare.com/feature-article/the-effectiveness-of-mri-assessment-for-liver-cancer
5. https://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?pg=fatty-liver-disease
6. https://www.worldgastroenterology.org/publications/e-wgn/e-wgn-expert-point-of-view-articles-collection/global-burden-of-liver-disease-a-true-burden-on-health-sciences-and-economies
7. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/liver-disease.htm
8. https://britishlivertrust.org.uk/information-and-support/living-with-a-liver-condition/imaging-tests/
9. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/liver-cancer/detection-diagnosis-staging/how-diagnosed.html
10. https://www.healthline.com/health/liver-pain
11. https://www.gehealthcare.com/feature-article/the-effectiveness-of-mri-assessment-for-liver-cancer