Current role and future potential of magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography with an emphasis on incidental findings

Abstract

Purpose: Aim of this study was to investigate the incidence of relevant biliary and extrabiliary findings in patients undergoing magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP).

Materials and methods: Three hundred eighty-four patients underwent 1.5-Tesla MRCP, and relevant biliary and extra-biliary findings were identified.

Results: Four hundred twenty-two biliary findings were identified in 384 patients (75%; 1.1 per patient). Ninety-five patients were free of any relevant biliary finding (25%). Incidental extrabiliary findings were observed in 763 patients (1.98/patient).

Conclusion: Most of the findings can be diagnosed by MRCP, while others require further examination. Interdisciplinary involvement is recommended to optimize clinical categorization, management, and treatment of these incidental findings.

Keywords: Abdominal imaging; Biliary findings; CT; ERCP; Extrabiliary findings; FOV; MR; MRCP; MRI; Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography; Pts; computed tomography; endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography; field of view; magnetic resonance; magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography; magnetic resonance imaging; patients.