Abstract
Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) is a technique that has evolved over the past two decades. It continues to have a fundamental role in the non-invasive investigation of many pancreatico-biliary disorders. The purpose of this review is to summarise the key concepts behind MRCP, the different techniques that are currently employed (including functional and secretin-stimulated MRCP), the pitfalls the reader should be aware of, and the main clinical indications for its use.
Highlights
It has been exactly two decades since magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) was first described [1]
Static or slow moving fluids within the biliary tree and pancreatic duct appear of high signal intensity on MRCP, whilst surrounding tissue is of reduced signal intensity
Become possible with the use of hepatobiliary contrast media [9] and secretin [10] respectively. The purpose of this pictorial review is to describe (1) the MRCP protocol used by our centre and additional/alternative sequences which can be employed, (2) the normal biliary anatomy on MRCP, (3) the potential pitfalls associated with this technique and (4) the main clinical indications for its use
Summary
It has been exactly two decades since magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) was first described [1] Over this time, the technique has evolved considerably, aided by improvements in spatial resolution and speed of. Grant Department of Radiology, Royal Free Hospital, Pond Street, London NW3 2QG, UK acquisition It has an established role in the investigation of many biliary disorders, serving as a non-invasive alternative to endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). Modified FSE sequences have been described, including rapid acquisition with rapid enhancement (RARE) [4], half-Fourier acquisition single-shot turbo spin-echo (HASTE) [5], and fast-recovery fast spin-echo (FRFSE) [6] sequences Both breath-hold (using a single shot approach) [7] and non-breath-hold techniques (with respiratory triggering) [8] have been used, with images obtained either as a two-dimensional (2D) or three-dimensional (3D) acquisition. The purpose of this pictorial review is to describe (1) the MRCP protocol used by our centre and additional/alternative sequences which can be employed, (2) the normal biliary anatomy on MRCP, (3) the potential pitfalls associated with this technique and (4) the main clinical indications for its use
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