Objective <p>To explore the value of the united imaging compressed sensing with radial acquisition (uCSR) in liver dynamic contrast-enhanced examinations for elderly patients with malignancy.</p> Methods <p>Hundred patients aged 65 years or over were randomly divided into two groups: 50 patients underwent liver dynamic contrast-enhanced scanning using the uCSR sequence during free breathing, and 50 patients underwent scanning using the three-dimensional volume interpolated breath-hold examination (3D-VIBE) sequence while holding breath. Two radiologists independently and subjectively evaluated the overall image quality and image artifacts with a five-point scale. Concurrently, two technologists measured the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) of the arterial, portal venous and delay phase images in both groups.</p> Results <p>uCSR has superior overall image-quality and image-artifact scores (<i>z</i> = 2.342, <i>p</i> = 0.019; <i>z</i> = 2.105, <i>p</i> = 0.035). The 3D-VIBE images of the arterial phase have higher SNR than uCSR (<i>t</i> = 4.988, <i>p</i> = 0.000), with no significant difference in the CNR (<i>z</i> = 0.676, <i>p</i> = 0.499). In the portal venous phase, the SNR and CNR of the 3D-VIBE images are superior to those of uCSR (<i>z</i> = 5.674, <i>p</i> = 0.000; <i>t</i> = 3.638, <i>p</i> = 0.000). In the delay phase, the SNR of the 3D-VIBE is slightly better than the uCSR (<i>t</i> = 5.471, <i>p</i> = 0.000), and the CNR shows no significant difference (<i>z</i> = 1.258, <i>p</i> = 0.208).</p> Conclusion <p>uCSR can be used as a method for liver dynamic contrast-enhanced scans in elderly patients with malignancy. It can improve patient comfort and reduce the failure rate of scans.</p> Critical relevance statement <p>Our findings suggested that uCSR can be used for liver dynamic contrast-enhanced scans in elderly patients with malignancy, this preliminary study provided basis for it.</p> Key Points <p><UnorderedList Mark="Bullet"> <ItemContent> <p>The uCSR can suppress the impact of respiratory motion artifacts on images.</p> </ItemContent> <ItemContent> <p>The UCSR can perform dynamic enhanced scanning of the liver under free breathing dynamics.</p> </ItemContent> <ItemContent> <p>The uCSR is suitable for dynamic contrast-enhanced MR imaging of the liver in elderly patients with malignancy.</p> </ItemContent> </UnorderedList></p> Graphical Abstract <p></p>