Abstract
Objective
The aim of this study was to assess the usefulness of magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography
(MRCP) with a single-shot fast spin-echo sequence as a noninvasive method to evaluate
the biliary system in children.
Methods
Twenty-five MRCP examinations of 23 patients were evaluated. On the basis of surgical
(n=5), endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (n=4), liver biopsy (n=4), clinical
data, and follow-up observation, 6 children were considered to have no significant
abnormality. The other 17 children were found to have pancreaticobiliary disease,
including choledochal cyst, biliary system dilatation, choledocholithiasis, biliary
atresia, multiseptated gallbladder, anomalous pancreaticobiliary union, ruptured hydatic
cyst, and biloma. The findings were correlated with the ultrasonography, computed
tomography, surgical, and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography results.
Results
Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography showed the first branch of the intrahepatic
duct, the common hepatic duct, the gallbladder, and the common bile duct in 14 children.
Cystic duct was not seen in infants, but was partially visible in younger children.
Although the main pancreatic duct was visible in head and body portions in 65% of
the patients, it was visible in 17% of the patients in the tail. The diagnostic accuracy
of MRCP was 100% in patients with choledochal cysts and stenoses. In a patient with
hydatic cyst, cystobiliary communication was successfully demonstrated.
Conclusion
Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography can be used effectively for the evaluation
of the biliary system in children.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: January 27, 2007
Accepted:
November 20,
2006
Received:
September 29,
2006
Identification
Copyright
© 2007 Elsevier Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
