MAGNETIC-RESONANCE CHOLANGIOPANCREATOGRAPHY - NONINVASIVE IMAGING FORTHE BILIARY TREE AND PANCREATIC DUCT

Producing images similar to those acquired by the invasive procedures of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) or percutaneo us transhepatic cholangiography, magnetic resonance cholangiopancreato graphy (MRCP) is indicated in patients who are unable to undergo ERCP or have had previously unsuccessful ERCP. If is used increasingly in n on-invasive evaluation of the pancreaticobiliary free in cases where t he need for intervention during ERCP is expected to be low. MRCP may h elp in identifying anomalous biliary anatomy or choledocholithiasis be fore laparoscopic cholecystectomy, and in deciding between percutaneou s or endoscopic treatment for patients with obstructive jaundice to de crease the rate of failed ERCP procedures.