Three-dimensional magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography in the diagnosis of biliary atresia in infants

Objective To analyze the diagnostic value of three-dimensional magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (3D-MRCP) for biliary atresia (BA) in infants. Methods Thirteen patients with clinical suspicion of BA underwent 3D-MRCP. They also underwent intraoperative cholangiography, laparoscopic exploration or pathological examination according to the MRI manifestations. The coincidence of the findings of 3D-MRCP with intraoperative cholangiography, laparoscopy and pathology were compared and analyzed. Results MRI diagnosed BA in 10 patients, choledochal cyst in 2 and normalness in 1 patient. With intraoperative cholangiography, BA was diagnosed in 6 patients, biliary stricture in 1 and normalness in 1 patient. With laparoscopy, 2 patients were diagnosed as BA. Two patients were diagnosed as congenital choledochal cyst with surgery and pathology. The other one cured after non-operative treatment. Conclusion 3D-MRCP is an effective imaging technology in finding BA before operation. BA should be highly suspected if extrahepatic bile duct can not be observed with 3D-MRCP.