Objective:The imaging diagnosis of early liver abscess is difficult.This study is to evaluate the diagnostic value of DWI,T2WI and dynamic enhanced MR imaging for early liver abscess.Methods: DWI,T2WI and dynamic enhanced imaging scans were performed in 17 patients with 17 early liver abscesses.The signal intensities and ADC values of necrotic area,non-necrotic area and normal liver were measured and compared.Results: The ADC value of the necrotic areas of liver abscesses (\[0.88±0.09\] mm2/s) was significantly lower than those of normal liver (\[1.31±0.12\] mm2/s,P<0.05) and non-necrotic area of liver abscesses (\[1.43±0.18\] mm2/s,P<0.05); there was also significant difference between the ADC values of the normal liver and non-neocrotic area (P<0.05).The necrotic areas had a hyperintensity characteristic on DWI,T2WI and a hypointensity characteristic on T1WI; no enhancement was found on dynamic enhanced imaging.The non-necrotic areas had moderate hyperintensity on DWI,T2WI and hypointensity on T1WI; there was obvious enhancement on dynamic enhanced imaging.Conclusion: The early liver abscess is characterized on magnetic resonance imaging.The DWI scan is helpful for diagnosis of early liver abscess.