[Basic principles and historical consideration of MR cholangiopancreatography].
Basic principle of MR cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) is heavily T2-weighted imaging (hydrography) to use bile and pancreatic juice as "natural contrast medium". Firstly developed sequence for MRCP was a CE-FAST sequence, which employed time-reversed FID signal. The current most popular sequences for MRCP are single-shot fast spin-echo sequences, which are divided into three types (2D single slice, 2D mutiple slice and 3D methods). The advantage of 2D single slice method is conveniently obtained projection imaging within a few seconds of examination time. Both 2D multiple slice and 3D methods consists of a MIP image and a series of source images. The MIP image creates global images of pancreatico-biliary system. The source images provide detailed evaluation of various anatomical structures and abnormalities. By using these sequences properly, MRCP can yield valuable informations of pancreatico-biliary diseases non-invasively.
Ohgi
K
K
Dept. of Radiology, Japanese Red Cross Medical Center.
Furukawa
T
T
Akiyama
H
H
Kimura
S
S
Uehara
K
K
Murata
K
K
D001659:Biliary Tract / Q000473:pathology*; D001660:Biliary Tract Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D010182:Pancreatic Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis; D010183:Pancreatic Ducts / Q000473:pathology*