MRI to Measure Liver Fat Content

This study will determine whether a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) test of the liver can accurately measure the amount of fat in the liver compared to the results of a liver biopsy. People 18 years of age and older who are scheduled to have or who have already had a liver biopsy as part of their medical care within 1 month of enrollment in this study may be eligible to participate. Participants undergo an MRI. For this procedure, the subject lies still on a table that slides into a narrow metal cylinder (the MRI scanner) for 30 to 60 minutes. A special pad or tube is placed around the abdomen to improve the image of the liver obtained. Earplugs are placed in the ears to muffle loud thumping and knocking sounds that occur with the electrical switching of the magnetic field. The findings of the MRI are compared with those of the liver biopsy.