Liver Magnetic Resonance Imaging Before Treatment for Rectal Cancer. A Randomised Controlled Trial.

"The MRI examinations of the liver/abdomen will be performed at the same time as the pelvic MRI. A 1,5 T scanner will be used together with a dedicated torso/abdominal coil. An abbreviated MRI liver protocol includes 3 different sequences as follows:~1. Axial T2-weighted respiratory triggered sequence with 5 mm slice thickness.~2. Axial diffusion weighted spin echo respiratory triggered sequence with fatsat with b-factors 50/800 s/mm2 and ADC calculation maps, 5 mm slice thickness~3. An axial breath-hold 3D T1-weighted gradient echo with fatsat with 4 mm slice thickness, gap 2 mm, contrast enhanced venous phase and in a 3 min equilibrium phase, using regular i.v bolus injection of gadolinium contrast medium with standard clinical dose."

The CT examination of the liver will be performed as a combined examination in a single venous phase starting with the thoracic region directly followed by the abdomen down to the pelvis. An additional 3 min equilibrium phase of the liver only will end the examination. Regular iodinated low-osmolar non-ionic contrast media will be used of 350 mg I/ml using a power injector, 2-4 ml/s, 100-150 ml dependent on patient weight and kidney function. Reconstructed images in axial, coronal and sagittal plane will be performed.