Boem Ha Yi MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Hae Kyung Lee, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Ji Sang Park, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Seong Jin Park MD, PhD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Jang Gyu Cha MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Jong-Ho Moon MD, PhD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

To evaluate the 3.0T MRCP images in patients of pancreatico-biliary diseases and to compare the image findings with the images at 1.5T MRI.

From February to March 2007, 50 patients with suspected or proved pancreatico-biliary diseases on previous radiologic studies took both 1.5T and 3.0T MRCP exams on same day. Due to poor respiratory control, one patient was excluded and 49 patients were included (mean 50.1 years old, M:F=27:22). Choledocholithiasis with or without cholangitis, gall stone, bile duct neoplasm, pancreatitis, and pancreatic cancer were diagnosed. Thick MRCP ASSET of 3.0T MRCP and coronal thick-slab MRCP at 1.5T were analyzed in each patients about five categories. C-I, The visibility of branches (the last visible branch of intrahepatic ducts), C-II, Margin of the whole bile ducts (from three to one, 3 is the most smooth and sharp margin instead 1 means ill defined, indistinct margin), C-III,Discontinuity of visible ducts (3: No discontinuous duct, 2: less than three discontinuous point, 1: multiple discontinuity), C-IV,.Pancreatic duct( 3: continuous sharp, 2: disconnected less than 1/3 of pancreatic duct, 1: discontinuity over 1/3), and C-V, gall bladder visualization were also scored by two abdominal radiologists. In indeterminate case, the scores were made under two radiologists’ consensus.

MRCP at 3.0T MRI showed superior images on bile ducts. On C-I, II,III, peripheral branch visualization, sharp and smooth margin of the bile duct, and continuous visualization of bile ducts without discontinuity were evident at 3.0T (p-value were less than 0.00). The visualization of pancreatic duct and gall bladder were more sharper at 3.0T MRCP, but revealed no statistically significant difference.

MRCP at 3.0T MRI provides superior bile duct imaging than 1.5T MRI, and could help accurate diagnosis.

MRCP at 3.0T MRI is going to be a reliable tool in diagnosis of pancreatico-biliary disease.

Yi, B, Lee, H, Park, J, Park, S, Cha, J, Moon, J, Intraindividual Comparative Study of MRCP Images at 3.0T MRI with 1.5T MRI.  Radiological Society of North America 2007 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 25 - November 30, 2007 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2007/5010659.html