MAGNETIC-RESONANCE CHOLANGIOGRAPHY

Magnetic resonance cholangiography offers a noninvasive method of obta ining images of the biliary system without the use of a contrast agent . The diagnostic accuracy of MR cholangiography approaches that of dir ect cholangiography, suggesting that in some patients MR cholangiograp hy might be used either instead of endoscopic retrograde cholangiograp hy or percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography or to direct therapeut ic techniques. When combined with conventional MR imaging, MR angiogra phy, MR spectroscopy, and perhaps MR-guided biopsy, a comprehensive wo rkup of the patient with hepatobiliary disease is possible in approxim ately 1 hour.