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. KEYWORDS Magnetic Resonance Cholangiopancreatography, Cholelithiasis, Pancreatitis, Periampullary Carcinoma, Gall Bladder Carcinoma, Cholangiocarcinoma
Agenesis of the Gallbladder: Role of Clinical Suspicion and Magnetic Resonance to Avoid Unnecessary Surgery