Evaluation of a new MR cholangiography sequence with half Fourier acquisition

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate a new MR cholangiography seq uence in which thick slices are obtained with half Fourier acquisition (SSF SE) in biliary obstructive diseases. Patients and methods: Fifty patients with suspected bile duct obstruction w ere prospectively investigated with MR cholangiography using SSFSE sequence with thick slices. The gold standard was ERCP (n = 40), percutaneous chola ngiography (n = 1) or surgical findings (n = 9). According to this gold sta ndard, 17 patients had bile duct lithiasis and 21 had neoplastic obstructio n. Results: The sensitivity and specificity of MR cholangiography were 100% an d 94% for the diagnosis of lithiasis obstruction and 95% and 97% for neopla stic obstruction. Agreement between the MR cholangiogram and the gold stand ard was good whatever the site of obstruction (range of kappa values: 0.79 - 1). Conclusion: MR cholangiography with SSFSE sequence is a useful, precise and easy to use technique. Acquisition time for thick slices is short (< 2 sec ) limiting cardiorespiratory artefacts and eliminating the need for post-tr eatment.