Purpose of review: This paper reviews diagnostic imaging techniques used to characterize liver masses and the imaging characteristics of the most common liver masses.
Recent findings: The role of recently adopted ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging contrast agents will be emphasized. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound is an inexpensive exam which can confirm benignity of certain liver masses without ionizing radiation. Magnetic resonance imaging using hepatocyte-specific gadolinium-based contrast agents can help confirm or narrow the differential diagnosis of liver masses.
Keywords: Appropriate exam; CT; Contrast; Focal liver lesion; MRI; Ultrasound.