Comparative assessment of imaging modalities in biliary obstruction

Abstract

Background: Many imaging modalities are available today for the evaluation of patients with suspected biliary obstruction including Ultrasonography, Computed Tomography and Invasive cholangiography. Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography is a relatively new technique, which has gained popularity because of its excellent diagnostic capabilities in the evaluation of biliary obstruction. Aims: The aim of the present study was to compare the diagnostic accuracy of Ultrasonography, Computed Tomography, Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography/ Percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography and Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography in assessing the level and cause of obstruction in patients with obstructive jaundice. Patients & Methods: One hundred patients with clinical and laboratory features suggestive of biliary obstruction were included in this study. At least two imaging modalities were used in each patient. The level and cause of obstruction was evaluated by each modality. The findings were corroborated with the operative and/or histopathological findings. Results: Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography showed the best results in detecting the cause of obstruction and was second only to Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography in detecting the level of biliary obstruction. Conclusions: With its excellent diagnostic capabilities, Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography has certainly carved a niche for itself in the non-invasive evaluation of the patient with obstructive jaundice.