Background: The diagnosis of abdominal pathologies is a
challenge and radiology is a very important tool in diagnosis.
Various methods are often used for the diagnosis of such
conditions. We in the present study tried to compare the
efficacy of magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography and
ultrasonography in evaluating biliary duct diseases.
Methods: The present study was conducted in the Department
of Radiodiagnosis, Prathima Institute of Medical Sciences,
Naganur, Karimnagar. All patients presenting with recurrent
pancreatitis, hypochondriac pain, jaundice presenting to the
radiology department are included in the present study.
Patients with metallic implants, claustrophobia are excluded
from the present study. Ultrasonography was performed using
a Philips HD 15 and Philips affinity 70 machine. Both curvilinear
and linear probes were used in the study. Images of the biliary
tree were recorded for later review. MRI-MRCP was performed
on Philips ACHIEVA 1.5 Tesla MRI Scanner.
Results : In this study, n=13 subjects were clinically suspected
to have cholelithiasis (n=7), choledocholithiasis (n=2), and both
Cholelithiasis with choledocholithiasis (n=4). Ultrasonography
was able to diagnose Cholelithiasis correctly in n=5 cases,
choledocholithiasis in n=1 case, Cholelithiasis with
choledocholithiasis in n=4 cases and rule out Cholelithiasis in
n=2 cases, but failed to identify distal CBD calculus in n=1 case
(choledocholithiasis) hence having a diagnostic accuracy of
92.31% for the cholelithiasis-choledocholithiasis group.
Conclusion: MR Cholangiopancreatography is very accurate in
demonstrating calculi at the distal end of CBD as an area of
the signal void, also in demonstrating strictures as the cause
of dilatation of biliary radicals. It showed the length of the
stricture segment very well and differentiated stricture as
malignant and benign.
Economic evaluation of MR cholangiopancreatography compared to diagnostic ERCP for the investigation of biliary tree obstruction