Abstract:

The aim of this study was to determine the sensitivity and diagnostic contribution of magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) in identifying pancreaticobiliary system pathologies and compare with endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP).ERCP is currently considered the gold standard for the evaluation of the pancreaticobiliary system. However, MRCP is a safe, non-invasive diagnostic alternative to ERCP. By the introduction of MRCP into clinical use, there has recently been a tendency of decrease especially in the number of ERCP evaluations performed only for diagnostic purposes.51 patients were included in the study with clinical and laboratory findings suggestive of obstructive biliary tract pathology, but in whom the ultrasound and/or computerized tomography (CT) findings were inconclusive.Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value of MRCP in the diagnosis of common bile duct stone, common bile duct dilatation, common bile duct strictures and intrahepatic bile duct (IHBD) dilatation were assessed. The sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of MRCP for the assessment of all biliary tract pathologies were 85.0%, 50.0%, 89.4%, and 40.0%, respectively.An increase in the experience of the MRCP examination and studies with larger series may provide the improvement in results; thus, an increase in diagnostic success may be established.

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