Hyperpolarized carbon 13 MRI in liver diseases: Recent advances and future opportunities

Hyperpolarized carbon‐13 magnetic resonance imaging (HP (13)C MRI) is a recently translated metabolic imaging technique. With dissolution dynamic nuclear polarization (d‐DNP), more than 10 000‐fold signal enhancement can be readily reached, making it possible to visualize real‐time metabolism and specific substrate‐to‐metabolite conversions in the liver after injecting carbon‐13 labelled probes. Increasing evidence suggests that HP (13)C MRI is a potential tool in detecting liver abnormalities, predicting disease progression and monitoring response treatment. In this review, we will introduce the recent progresses of HP (13)C MRI in diffuse liver diseases and liver malignancies and discuss its future opportunities from a clinical perspective, hoping to provide a comprehensive overview of this novel technique in liver diseases and highlight its scientific and clinical potential in the field of hepatology.