MRkolangiopancreatografi

Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) is a noninvasive magnetic resonance imaging technique used to visualize the biliary and pancreatic ducts. It relies on heavily T2-weighted sequences that render static fluids, such as bile and pancreatic juice, bright, allowing the ducts to be seen as high-contrast structures within surrounding tissue. Most MRCP studies are acquired as three-dimensional datasets and reformatted for detailed ductal visualization; in some protocols, secretin stimulation or contrast-enhanced sequences may be used to augment visualization.

Indications include evaluation of biliary obstruction from stones, strictures, or tumors; assessment of pancreatic ductal anatomy in congenital anomalies; investigation of pancreatitis; preoperative planning; and postoperative follow-up.

Advantages of MRCP include its noninvasiveness, lack of ionizing radiation, and the ability to survey both the biliary tree and pancreas in a single examination. Limitations include reduced sensitivity for very small stones or non-fluid-filled strictures, susceptibility to motion or patient factors such as obesity, and, when used, risks associated with gadolinium-based contrast in CE-MRCP for patients with renal impairment. Standard MRCP typically does not require contrast, though contrast-enhanced MRCP can be employed to improve ductal delineation in certain cases.

Compared with endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), MRCP is diagnostic and noninvasive, whereas ERCP is invasive and capable of therapeutic intervention but carries risks such as pancreatitis and infection.

See also: ERCP, cholangiography, pancreatography.