title: Diagnostic value of MRCP and indications for ERCP.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the diagnostic value of magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) and examine the indications for endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP).
  
  
  METHODS
  MRCP was performed in 185 patients with hepatobiliary disease in whom abdominal ultrasonography (US) had not been of diagnostic value. These patients were selected for MRCP in view of their abdominal symptoms, high levels of hepatobiliary enzymes, and pancreatic/bile duct dilatation found by abdominal US. Based on MRCP findings, 75 patients were selected for ERCP.
  
  
  RESULTS
  ERCP provided new findings in 14 (18.%) patients. In 110 patients subjected to only MRCP and follow-up as well as in 75 patients with MRCP followed by ERCP, MRCP-based diagnosis corresponded with the final diagnosis. In our study, patients who would have conventionally required ERCP, such as those with natural passed choledocholithiasis and postoperative bile duct dilatation, could be followed up without ERCP. These results the importance of considering indications for ERCP.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  MRCP can be an alternative to ERCP at least for diagnosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine and Clinical Oncology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Japan.
authors.forename: Yuji
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Sakai
authors.forename: Toshio
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tsuyuguchi
authors.forename: Shin
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tsuchiya
authors.forename: Harutoshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Sugiyama
authors.forename: Kaoru
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Miyakawa
authors.forename: Masaaki
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ebara
authors.forename: Hiromitsu
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Saisho
authors.forename: Osamu
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Yokosuka
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001652:Bile Ducts / Q000473:pathology; D001661:Biliary Tract Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis; D002760:Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde; D049448:Cholangiopancreatography, Magnetic Resonance; D041761:Cholecystolithiasis / Q000175:diagnosis; D042883:Choledocholithiasis / Q000473:pathology; D002780:Cholestasis, Intrahepatic / Q000175:diagnosis; D004066:Digestive System Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D004108:Dilatation, Pathologic; D016099:Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal; D019160:Endosonography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010183:Pancreatic Ducts / Q000473:pathology; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis; D050500:Pancreatitis, Chronic / Q000175:diagnosis