Rama Krishna Narra1, Sivaram Prasadbabu Badisa2, Tejaswini Yatam3, Bhimeswarao Pasupaleti4
BACKGROUND
Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) is a noninvasive imaging
method of demonstration of hepatic, cholangio- and pancreatic-systems and their
duct system and depends on heavy T2-weighted (T2-W) images. The present
study was undertaken to study and evaluate patients with clinical suspicion of the
biliary tract, gall bladder and pancreatic pathology, with conventional magnetic
resonance imaging (MRI) and MRCP and to assess the pitfalls in MRCP for the
evaluation of the biliary tract, gall bladder, and pancreas.
METHODS
The study included sixty patients with clinical signs and symptoms of obstructive
jaundice referred for MRCP to the Department of Radiodiagnosis at Katuri Medical
College and Hospital and patients who were referred to the department with
clinical suspicion of pancreas, gallbladder and biliary tract disease. Pregnant
patients, claustrophobic patients and patients with MRI contraindications such as
cardiac pacemakers, aneurysm clips and metallic implants were excluded from the
study.
RESULTS
Most of the patients in our study were of 30 - 70 years age group. Of the sixty
cases included in our study, 58 % were males and 42 % were females. In most of
the patients, in our study, benign pathology was observed which included
cholelithiasis and choledocholithiasis and acute pancreatitis being next common.
Case of choledochal cyst were also encountered. Most of common bile duct
strictures were of benign aetiology. Of the malignant pathology detected,
cholangiocarcinoma followed by periampullary carcinoma and gallbladder
carcinoma were commonly encountered.
CONCLUSIONS
Magnetic resonance pancreatic cholangiography is an imaging modality for
evaluation of pancreaticobiliary disorders. MRCP detected the exact location and
cause of biliary tract obstruction and aetiology was well demonstrated. Pure
cholesterol stones are difficult to detect on CT because they are iso attenuating or
slightly hypoattenuating to bile. Sub centimetric calculi are well demonstrated by
MRCP. Malignant strictures and benign strictures are well demonstrated. MRCP
being non-invasive and radiation hazard free with inherent high resolution with
multiplanar imaging capability could be considered as gold standard in imaging of
few gall bladder and biliary system disorders.
