A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF MAGNETIC RESONANCE CHOLANGIOPANCREATOGRAPHY AND ENDOSCOPIC RETROGRADE CHOLANGIOPANCREATOGRAPHY

BACKGROUND Magnetic Resonance Cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) is a non-invasive technique for direct visualization of biliary tree and pancreatic duct. It provides images similar to those obtained with invasive cholangiography (ERCP and PTC). Aim of the study is to compare Magnetic Resonance Cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) and Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in the evaluation of biliary obstruction. MATERIALS AND METHODSThe study is a prospective study of 27 cases in the age group of 22 to 65 years who were having a history of obstructive jaundice.The patients underwent MRCP and the results were compared with ERCP. RESULTSOf the 27 cases, MRCP picked up calculus in 12 cases.ERCP also noted calculus in 12 cases.A small CBD calculus was missed in both MRCP and ERCP.GB calculus in one case was masked in the MRCP images by the bright signal from bile in GB.But the conventional SE images and source images of MRCP were reviewed in that case and GB calculus was diagnosed in that case based on source images.Stricture was correctly noticed in 8 of the patients in MRCP as well as ERCP.Malignant tumour was diagnosed by MRCP in 6 cases, which was also noted correctly by ERCP. CONCLUSIONThe study concluded that MRCP is a superior imaging modality when compared with ERCP, mainly because it is non-invasive and can give a detailed map of biliary tree allowing visualisation of ducts proximal as well as distal to the level of obstruction.MRCP can also show the extent of lesion more accurately than ERCP.