title: Role of magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography in patients with suspected choledocholithiasis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the diagnostic efficacy of magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) in choledocholithiasis and to determine whether use of MRCP may eliminate the need for purely diagnostic endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP).
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 116 patients with suspected biliopancreatic pathology were studied prospectively between November 1996 and February 1998. Choledocholithiasis was initially suspected in 61 patients and rated before ERCP and MRCP as being of low, intermediate, or high probability based on clinical, laboratory, and/or imaging findings (Cotton criteria).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The sensitivity of choledocholithiasis diagnosis was 91%, with a global efficacy of 90%. The level of duct stone obstruction was visualized in all patients. Suprastenotic dilatation also showed a good correlation to ERCP. Choledocholithiasis was found in 32 patients (65%) and 3 patients (33%) in the high- and intermediate-probability groups, respectively. None of the low-probability patients had choledocholithiasis. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography was performed for only a diagnostic (not therapeutic) purpose in 3 patients (6%) and 2 patients (22%) of the high- and intermediate-probability cases, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography seems to be effective in diagnosing choledocholithiasis. It plays a fundamental role in patients with a low or intermediate risk of choledocholithiasis, contributing to the avoidance of purely diagnostic ERCP.
authors: Department of Gastroenterology, Galdakao Hospital, Spain.
authors: Mari M
authors: MM
authors: Calvo
authors: Luis
authors: L
authors: Bujanda
authors: Angel
authors: A
authors: Calderón
authors: Iñaki
authors: I
authors: Heras
authors: José L
authors: JL
authors: Cabriada
authors: Antonio
authors: A
authors: Bernal
authors: Victor
authors: V
authors: Orive
authors: Angel
authors: A
authors: Capelastegi
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D014670:Ampulla of Vater / Q000473:pathology; D001650:Bile Duct Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D002760:Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde; D002779:Cholestasis / Q000175:diagnosis; D005260:Female; D042882:Gallstones / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity