MR cholangiopancreatography in choledochal cysts

Purpose. To assess the value of MR cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) in the d iagnosis and preoperative evaluation of choledochal cysts. Material and methods. Five patients (aged between 6 days and 28 years) were investigated by MRCP, referred for ultrasonographic detection of a bile du ct dilatation or a cystic structure, of antenatal diagnosis (1 case), for j aundice or abdominal pain (3 cases) or in late follow-up of a choledochal c yst surgery. Two endoscopic-ultrasonographic studies were performed. The fi ve patients underwent surgery without preoperative biliary cholangiography. MRCP was performed using a HASTE sequence in frontal, oblique, axial plane s (1,5 Tesla MR unit). Results. MRCP allowed to confirm choledochal cyst, helps to specify the ana tomical type (2 type 1, 3 type II), detects choledocholithiasis (3 cases). Anatomic correlation was perfect. MRCP allowed to exclude gastrointestinal duplication. Anomalous junction of the pancreaticobiliary duct was found in one case. Conclusion. MRCP diagnoses choledochal cysts, specifies type, helps surgery and can avoid endoscopic retrograde cholangiography or endoscopic sonograp hic examinations especially for children. It may find an anomalous junction of the pancreaticobiliary duct.