Hina Gul, Sameer Waheed, Rashid Orakzai, Muhammad Nawaz, Ummara Saddique, Inayat Shah Roghani.
Utility of magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography in the evaluation of biliary tract obstruction.
J Med Sci Jan ;18(2):97-100.

Objectives: To evaluate the accuracy of Magnectic Resonance Cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) in the detection of bile duct calculi and strictures using Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and operative findings as gold standard. Materials and Methods: A total of 110 patients aged between 25 years and 75 years with clinical and laboratory suspicion of obstructive jaundice, were investigated using MRCP in the Radiology Department of Khyber Teaching Hospital, Peshawar, Pakistan. The study was conducted from January 2007 to March 2008. The findings of MRCP were confirmed using ERCP and open surgery. Results: Final diagnoses were normal bile ducts (n=12), choledocholithiasis (n=38), benign and malignant stenosis (n=60). The overall sensitivity and specificity of MRCP for stenosis were found to be 98% and 92% respectively. The sensitivity and specificity for detection of biliary tract calculi were found to be 95% and 92% respectively. Conclusion: The lower cost, absence of ionizing radiation, operator independence and greater safety for patients make MRCP an attractive alternative to diagnostic ERCP.

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