ABSTRACT

In this study, the diagnostic value of magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) in patients with biliary obstruction was compared with that of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), to detect the additional findings provided by MRCP and possible misdiagnosis are aimed.

MRCP and ERCP findings of 47 patients with biliary obstruction were analyzed retrospectively. The Kappa test was used to assess the relationship between the diagnostic accuracy of MRCP and ERCP. The significance limit was taken as p <0.05 and two-sided.

Diagnostic values of MRCP for choledocholithiasis in the 95% confidence interval: Sensitivity: 86-100%, specificity: 56-97%, positive predictive value: 78-99%, negative predictive value: 70-100%, and accuracy: 96%. For periampullary masses, these values were within the 95% confidence interval: Sensitivity: 89-100%, specificity: 56-100%, positive predictive value: 89-100%, negative predictive value: 56-100% and accuracy: 100%.

In addition to the known advantages of not using ionized radiation and contrast agent compared to ERCP, MRCP is an important part of the diagnosis of biliary tract diseases with the exception of being able to identify biliary tract pathologies with very high sensitivity and specificity, showing intraperitoneal additional pathologies outside the biliary tract. However, intraabdominal diffuse free fluid and choledochal stents make it difficult to evaluate MRCP.

Keywords: Bile duct obstruction, periampullary mass, choledocholithiasis, magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography