Pancreatic duct: MR cholangiopancreatography with a three-dimensional fast spin-echo technique.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the role of three-dimensional fast spin-echo magnetic resonance (MR) cholangiopancreatography in the evaluation of the normal and abnormal pancreatic duct.


METHODS
A non-breath-hold MR cholangiopancreatographic technique with use of a body coil was compared with direct pancreatography performed with endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography in 37 patients.


RESULTS
MR cholangiopancreatograms of satisfactory quality were obtained in 92% of patients. Sensitivity for detection of pancreatic duct dilatation (n = 15) was 100% and 87% (observers 1 and 2, respectively). Among patients with pancreatic duct strictures (n = 8), 75% of the strictures were detected; there was a single false-positive finding. Specificity for both observers was 69% for the maximum intensity projection reconstructions and increased to 81% with review of the source images. Four of six cases of pancreas divisum (67%) and two cases of pancreatic duct stones were demonstrated. Interobserver agreement was moderate to substantial, as assessed with kappa-analysis.


CONCLUSIONS
MR cholangiopancreatography can accurately demonstrate the normal pancreatic duct as well as various pancreatic duct abnormalities.
Soto
J A
JA
Department of Radiology, Boston University Medical Center, MA 02118, USA.
Barish
M A
MA
Yucel
E K
EK
Clarke
P
P
Siegenberg
D
D
Chuttani
R
R
Ferrucci
J T
JT
D002760:Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015588:Observer Variation; D010179:Pancreas / Q000002:abnormalities; D010182:Pancreatic Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology; D010183:Pancreatic Ducts / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity