Pancreaticobiliary ductal system: value of half-Fourier rapid acquisition with relaxation enhancement MR cholangiopancreatography for postoperative evaluation.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the usefulness of half-Fourier rapid acquisition with relaxation enhancement (RARE) magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) for evaluation of postoperative changes in the pancreaticobiliary ductal system.


METHODS
The study included 34 patients (20 men, 14 women; mean age, 65.5 years) who underwent surgery of the pancreaticobiliary ductal system. Half-Fourier RARE MRCP images were obtained after surgery. Qualitative evaluation included ratings by two observers for depiction of postoperative anatomy and for artifacts, as well as analysis of postoperative complications. Direct cholangiographic, computed tomographic, and ultrasonographic findings and 6-month follow-up results were the reference standard. Sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were calculated for the evaluation of postsurgical complications seen at half-Fourier RARE MRCP.


RESULTS
The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of MRCP for the evaluation of postsurgical complications were each 100% for ductal dilatation; 100%, 87%, and 89%, respectively, for choledochoenteric anastomotic stricture; 100%, 86%, and 87%, respectively, for pancreaticoenteric anastomotic stricture; 100% each for intraductal stones and anastomotic leakage; and 80%, 100%, and 94%, respectively, for cholangitis.


CONCLUSIONS
Half-Fourier RARE MRCP is a reliable imaging technique for the evaluation of anatomy and of complications associated with a surgically altered pancreaticobiliary ductal system.
Tang
Y
Y
Department of Radiology, Kumamoto University School of Medicine, 1-1-1 Honjo, Kumamoto 860, Japan. yitang23@hotmail.com
Yamashita
Y
Y
Arakawa
A
A
Namimoto
T
T
Mitsuzaki
K
K
Abe
Y
Y
Katahira
K
K
Takahashi
M
M
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical / Q000009:adverse effects; D016477:Artifacts; D001649:Bile Duct Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D001652:Bile Ducts / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D002758:Cholangiography; D002761:Cholangitis / Q000175:diagnosis; D002769:Cholelithiasis / Q000175:diagnosis; D003251:Constriction, Pathologic / Q000175:diagnosis; D004108:Dilatation, Pathologic / Q000175:diagnosis; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005583:Fourier Analysis; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods*; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010182:Pancreatic Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D010183:Pancreatic Ducts / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D011182:Postoperative Care; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014463:Ultrasonography