Abbreviated magnetic resonance imaging protocols in oncology - improving accessibility in precise diagnostics

Sep 24, 2026

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Cancer is a major global public health burden, making accurate diagnosis and timely initiation of adequate treatment essential for prognosis. Abbreviated magnetic resonance imaging (AMRI) protocols shorten MRI acquisition time while aiming to preserve examination quality. By targeting detection of suspicious lesions with the most precise sequences, faster AMRI approaches may achieve diagnostic performance comparable to full MRI protocols. This review summarizes current AMRI applications across multiple oncological diseases, focusing on recent evidence.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages8

Reading Time20 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

Metastatic liver disease

MRI sequences used in abbreviated protocols

Diffusion-weighted and dynamic contrast-enhanced approaches

© Pol J Radiol 2023; 88: e415-e422 DOI: [https://doi.org/10.5114/pjr.2023.131213](https://doi.org/10.5114/pjr.2023.131213) [Received: 31.05.2023](Received: 31.05.2023) [Accepted: 26.07.2023](Accepted: 26.07.2023) [Published: 11.09.2023](Published: 11.09.2023) [http://www.polradiol.com](http://www.polradiol.com) Review paper Abbreviated magnetic resonance imaging protocols in oncology: improving accessibility in precise diagnostics Sylwia GrabowskaB,D,E,F, Anna HitnarowiczB,D,E,F, Anna Barczyk-GutkowskaE, Katarzyna GruszczyńskaE, Katarzyna Steinhof-RadwańskaD,E, Mateusz WinderA,D,E Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland Abstract Cancer, as the second leading cause of death in the world, is one of the major public health concerns today. Accurate diagnosis and prompt initiation of adequate treatment are of key importance for prognosis. Abbreviated magnetic resonance protocols (AMRI) are promising techniques based on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) protocols that shorten acquisition time without significant loss of examination quality. Faster protocols that focus on detection of suspicious lesions with most precise sequences, can contribute to comparable diagnostic performance of a full MRI protocol. The purpose of this article was to review the current application of AMRI protocols in several oncological diseases. Key words: magnetic resonance imaging, abbreviated protocol, cancer, oncological radiology, screening. Introduction Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is one of the basic methods of diagnostic imaging. High contrast resolution of images obtained from MRI examinations, ability to analyze tissue function and metabolism, and high sensitivity of detecting malignant changes, make this method particularly important in oncological diagnostics. However, disadvantages of MRI include long scanning times, limited availability, and high costs. An effective MRI protocol is critical in making an accurate diagnosis and has a direct impact on time of examination. In order to fully exploit the potential of MRI in urgent setting, e.g., neurological imaging, abbreviated protocols have been introduced to facilitate fast and accurate diagnosis without compromising the diagnostic value of examination [1,2]. B422y shortening the acquisition time, more examinations can be performed and thus, the availability of MRI improves. AMRI can possibly complement findings of computed tomography (CT). The use of short protocols may also help to reduce the cost of MRI examinations [3] . This makes AMRI a convincing substitute for standard MRI use, which is particularly important for oncological patients [4]. However, there is an increasing need to standardize diagnostic path in the selection of appropriate AMRI protocols in individual disease entities. The main objective of this article was to summarize the ongoing achievements in the application of AMRI protocols in selected cancerous diseases. This review concentrated mostly on the research published in the last 5 years. While choosing the studies included in our article, we drew special attention to the type of sequences applied in AMRI, the maximum time of AMRI, and the sensitivity and specificity in cancer detection. Database search consisted of terms, including ‘magnetic resonance imaging’,‘abbreviated protocol’, ‘cancer’. Metastatic liver disease Detection of liver metastases and their differentiation is a diagnostic challenge due to high incidence of benign liver lesions [5] . Accurate analysis of liver metastases de- Correspondence address: Mateusz Winder, Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland, [e-mail: mwinder@sum.edu.pl](e-mail: mwinder@sum.edu.pl) Authors’ contribution: A Study design ∙ B Data collection ∙ C Statistical analysis ∙ D Data interpretation ∙ E Manuscript preparation ∙ F Literature search ∙ G Funds collection This is an Open Access

FAQs

What are abbreviated magnetic resonance imaging (AMRI) protocols and why are they important in oncology?

AMRI protocols shorten MRI acquisition time without significant loss of diagnostic quality. In oncology, faster and accurate imaging supports timely diagnosis and treatment planning.

How do AMRI protocols aim to maintain diagnostic performance compared with full MRI?

AMRI focuses on the detection of suspicious lesions using the most precise sequences. This targeted approach is intended to deliver comparable diagnostic performance to standard full protocols.

Which MRI sequences are commonly used in abbreviated protocols for liver metastases?

Studies commonly include gadoxetate-enhanced T1-weighted and T2-weighted imaging and diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), often together with hepatobiliary phase sequences. Some protocols also use techniques such as simultaneous multislice imaging (SMS) or reduced field-of-view (FOV) DWI.

Sep 24, 2026

Uploaded by Stanford