MRI Liver STIR imaging

Short inversion-time inversion recovery (STIR)
MR is a sensitive technique for detection of
hepatic lesions that is performed as part of
hepatic MR protocols. Studies have
demonstrated that STIR MR images have a
higher sensitivity than other non-enhanced
MR sequences and sensitivity similar to CT
during arterial portography (CTAP) for
detection of hepatic lesions. STIR sequences
provide fat-suppressed images with additive
T1 and T2 contrast. Since both primary and
secondary hepatic malignancies typically
demonstrate prolongation of both T1 and
T2, STIR sequences are especially useful for
detection of pathology. However, malignant
and benign lesions both tend to be very
bright on STIR images, so they are best used
to detect lesions but not to characterize them
once detected.
Clinically, STIR images may depict focal
hepatic lesions that are either not seen or
are more subtle on other pulse sequences.
STIR Images
• Used for both lesion detection only.
• Benign and malignant lesions are
hyperintense.
• Has a nonspecific form of fat
suppression.
• Sensitivity approaches CTAP for lesion
detection.
• Have additive T1 and T2 contrast.