[Improving diffusion-weighted imaging of liver with SENSE technique: a preliminary study].

Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) has not commonly been performed for assessment of the liver because of technical and physiologic problems. The sensitivity-encoding (SENSE) technique enables the acquisition time to be shortened and reduces artifacts on DWI. We compared the DWI without SENSE, with SENSE only, and with SENSE and half-Fourier technique using a 1.5 Tesla MRI unit. In general, imaging quality was improved and fewer artifacts were observed in DWI with SENSE. DWI of liver with SENSE is expected to be a useful tool for clinical application.