Objective To explore the value of magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) specifically enhanced with gadolinium-ethoxybenzyl-diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid(Gd-EOB-DTPA) in assessing the liver function in general population.Methods Upper abdominal MRI images and Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced images,as well as some clinical information,were collected from 41 cases meeting the inclusion and exclusion criteria.Taking the spleen as the control organ,liver-spleen signal intensity contrast(SIliver / spleen) and relative liver enhancement(RLE) were calculated at 10 min and 20 min after injecting Gd-EOB-DTPA.Differences were evaluated using the independent-samples t-test or Mann-Whitney U test.Corrections were analyzed via Spearman's rank correlation.Results Both SIliver / spleenat 10 min and 20 min after injection of contrast agent were correlated with Child classification(P < 0.05).SIliver / spleenat 20 min had a greater correlation coefficient(r =-0.526) than that at 10 min.The SIliver / spleenwith plain scan had no significant correlation with Child classification(P > 0.05).RLE at 20 min,but not at 10 min,was correlated with Child classification(r =-0.362,P = 0.049).Between the cirrhotic and non-cirrhotic groups,SIliver / spleenshowed no significant difference(P > 0.05).However,SIliver / spleenat 10 min and 20 min,as well as RLE20 min,showed significant differences between the cirrhotic and non-cirrhotic groups(P < 0.05).SIliver / spleenat 20 min also exhibited a significant difference between the elevated and normal ALT and TBil groups(both P < 0.05).Conclusion Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MRI can monitor liver function changes,and SIliver / spleenat 20 min may have an important value in assessing the liver function in general population.