Magnetic Resonance Cholangiography Versus Ultrasound in the Evaluation of the Gallbladder

Abstract

Ultrasonography (US) is currently the reference technique for evaluating gallbladder pathology. The aim of this study was to prospectively determine the diagnostic efficacy of magnetic resonance cholangiography (MRCP) in evaluating the gallbladder, as compared with US. The study included 80 patients (mean age, 69.3 years; male-to-female ration, 1.3:1) who underwent prospective US and MRCP; 5 patients in whom MRCP was contraindicated were excluded. In all cases, US was performed before MRCP. Ultrasound was the reference technique for evaluating MRCP sensitivity and specificity. Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography provided good image quality in 65 patients (81.2%) and poor image quality in 15 (mostly because of poor patient cooperation). Artefacts did not influence visualization of the gallbladder or evaluation of the background pathology. The sensitivity of MRCP in diagnosing gallbladder stones (43 patients; 97.7%) was comparable to US (44 patients). In contrast, MRCP diagnosed biliary sludge or microlithiasis in 13 patients, versus 5 in the case of US. Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography is a good technique for diagnosing cholelithiasis and biliary sludge. However, its high cost, contraindications, and the need for patient cooperation limit the use of the technique in routine clinical gallbladder studies. Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography could contribute to the diagnosis of microlithiasis, provided that future studies confirm its greater sensitivity versus US.

Gallstones are associated with carotid atherosclerosis

“…The primary demographical and medical variables were gender, age, date of birth, tobacco consumption, family history of CD, previous medical conditions and previous surgeries. GD was defined as ultrasonographical evidence of gallstone disease (sensitivity and specificity >96%) (6).…”

Endoscopic ultrasonography to diagnose common bile duct transection after laparoscopic cholecystectomy: With video

“…However, MRCP is subject to various pitfalls 3 . In our patient, MRCP was inconclusive possibly due to lack of patient cooperation 4 …”

“…3 In our patient, MRCP was inconclusive possibly due to lack of patient cooperation. 4 Here we describe the diagnosis of CBD transection with EUS. We thus inferred that bile duct clipping was the cause of this patient's continuous discharge.…”

Rôle diagnostique de l’écho-endoscopie dans la pancréatite aiguë

“…Dans cette indication, une seule étude comparant l'eff icacité de la CP-IRM à l'échographie transpariétale montrait une rentabilité supérieure de la CP-IRM (21). Dans l'étude de Dahan et al (22), l'examen de la vésicule biliaire par EE était plus sensible pour l'étude des microlithiases (96 vs 67 %) et aussi plus spécifique pour le diagnostic de lithiase vésiculaire non détectée par l'échographie transcutanée.…”