DIFFUSE DISEASE OF THE LIVER - RADIOLOGIC-PATHOLOGICAL CORRELATION

Cross-sectional imaging is playing an increasing role in diagnosis of diffuse liver diseases because it clarifies, in many cases, the overla p in clinical and laboratory manifestations often present in diffuse h epatic processes and thus may eliminate the need for a biopsy. Advance s in cross-sectional imaging, particularly in magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, enable further characterization of hepatic parenchymal and ar chitectural changes, allowing closer correlation with underlying patho logic changes. Advanced imaging techniques can be used to characterize a variety of metabolic, vascular, toxic, infectious, and neoplastic d iffuse liver diseases. These include more common entities such as cirr hosis, Budd-Chiari syndrome, hemochromatosis, Wilson disease, fatty ch ange, and diffuse neoplastic disease (hepatocellular carcinoma, metast asis, and lymphoma) and uncommon entities such as schistosomiasis, sar coidosis, and amyloidosis. Correlation of computed tomographic and MR imaging findings with underlying pathologic features is helpful in und erstanding the gamut of diffuse diseases of the liver.