COMPARISON OF MAGNETIC RESONANCE CHOLANGIOPANCREATOGRAPHY WITH ENDOSCOPIC RETROGRADE CHOLANGIOPANCREATOGRAPHY IN PATIENTS WITH SUSPECTED COMMON BILE DUCT STONE

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the diagnostic value of MRCP in patients with suspected common bile duct stone. ERCP is considered to be the gold standard for pancreaticobiliary evaluation. But it is an invasive procedure and is associated with morbidity and mortality. Over the last few years, MRCP has developed as a non-invasive imaging technique for the examination of pancreaticobiliary system. Patients with a diagnosis of cholestasis based on clinical, biochemical and sonographic criteria, but without imaged extrahepatic bile duct stones were prospectively evaluated. Twenty eight patients underwent evaluation with MRCP and ERCP. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy of MRCP in the diagnosis of common bile duct stone were assessed. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy for MRCP were 85%, 75%, 89.5%, 66.7%, and 82%, respectively. Diagnostic value of MRCP is limited in patients with small bile duct stones and anatomical anomalies. Learning curve and the mechanical capacity may be a factor that affects the results. MRCP can replace the diagnostic ERCP which is an invasive modality.