Research in the Section is dedicated to promoting excellence in the application, performance, and interpretation of abdominal imaging studies. Two dominant themes characterize the research projects that are fostered within the section:

• The development of new or improved techniques and applications for abdominal CT or MRI. Examples include MRI and MRSI in diffuse liver disease, MRI and MRSI of prostate cancer, fetal MRI, and CT cholangiography.
• The promotion of evidence-based abdominal imaging, including systematic validation or debunking of commonly held opinions or assumptions. Examples include the investigation of small indeterminate hypodensities in the liver, minor morphological abnormalities of the adrenal glands, and style guidelines for radiology reports.

Current research directions within the section include:

• Combined MR imaging and MR spectroscopic imaging in the localization and staging of prostate cancer.
• Advanced hepatic imaging, including multi-detector CT, CT cholangiography, new hepatobiliary MR contrast agents, and MR cholangiopancreatography.
• Evaluation of prostate cancer with MR spectroscopic imaging (MRSI): a prospective multi-institutional clinicopathologic study
• Radiological evaluation of diffuse liver disease, including cirrhosis, pseudocirrhosis, and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis.
• 3D rendering of CT and MR images, including projectional and volumetric applications and CT colonography.