Normal and variant abdominal anatomy on magnetic resonance imaging.

The diagnostic usefulness of abdominal magnetic resonance (MR) imaging lies in the improved contrast resolution and ability to qualify several tissue characteristics of a specific organ or lesion. Our institution uses organ-specific protocols to facilitate technical reproducibility and optimize scan duration. These protocols are discussed individually in this article when applicable, noting that many build on a basic protocol with slight variations. Because most abdominal MR imaging studies are targeted toward an organ or area of interest, this article discusses the protocol strategies and relevant anatomy in a segmented/organ-specific manner.