title: Radiological diagnosis in cholangiocarcinoma: Application of computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and positron emission tomography.
abstract: The purpose of radiological imaging in patients with suspected or known cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is tumour detection, lesion characterization and assessment of resectability. Different imaging modalities are implemented complementary in the diagnostic work-up. Non-invasive imaging should be performed prior to invasive biliary procedures in order to avoid false positive results. For assessment of intraparenchymal tumour extension and evaluation of biliary and vascular invasion, MRI including MRCP and CT are the primarily used imaging modalities. The role of PET remains controversial with few studies showing benefit with the detection of unexpected metastatic spread, the differentiation between benign and malignant biliary strictures, and for discriminating post therapeutic changes and recurrent CCA.
authors.affiliation: Hannover Medical School, Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Carl-Neuberg Str. 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany. Electronic address: ringe.kristina@mh-hannover.de.
authors.forename: Kristina I
authors.initials: KI
authors.lastname: Ringe
authors.affiliation: Hannover Medical School, Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Carl-Neuberg Str. 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany.
authors.forename: Frank
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Wacker
mesh_terms: D001650:Bile Duct Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D001653:Bile Ducts, Intrahepatic / Q000473:pathology*; D018281:Cholangiocarcinoma / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography / Q000379:methods*; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals
keywords: Cholangiocarcinoma; Computed tomography; Magnetic resonance imaging; Positron emission tomography