A comparative study of Accuracy, Sensitivity, and Specificity of MR Cholangiopancreatography versus Ultrasonography for diagnosis of hepatobiliary and pancreatic pathologies

Abstract

Background: The diagnosis of abdominal pathologies is a challenge and radiology is a very important tool in diagnosis. Various methods are often used for the diagnosis of such conditions. We in the present study tried to compare the efficacy of magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography and ultrasonography in evaluating biliary duct diseases. Methods: The present study was conducted in the Department of Radiodiagnosis, Prathima Institute of Medical Sciences, Naganur, Karimnagar. All patients presenting with recurrent pancreatitis, hypochondriac pain, jaundice presenting to the radiology department are included in the present study. Patients with metallic implants, claustrophobia are excluded from the present study. Ultrasonography was performed using a Philips HD 15 and Philips affinity 70 machine. Both curvilinear and linear probes were used in the study. Images of the biliary tree were recorded for later review. MRI-MRCP was performed on Philips ACHIEVA 1.5 Tesla MRI Scanner. Results : In this study, n=13 subjects were clinically suspected to have cholelithiasis (n=7), choledocholithiasis (n=2), and both Cholelithiasis with choledocholithiasis (n=4). Ultrasonography was able to diagnose Cholelithiasis correctly in n=5 cases, choledocholithiasis in n=1 case, Cholelithiasis with choledocholithiasis in n=4 cases and rule out Cholelithiasis in n=2 cases, but failed to identify distal CBD calculus in n=1 case (choledocholithiasis) hence having a diagnostic accuracy of 92.31% for the cholelithiasis-choledocholithiasis group. Conclusion: MR Cholangiopancreatography is very accurate in demonstrating calculi at the distal end of CBD as an area of the signal void, also in demonstrating strictures as the cause of dilatation of biliary radicals. It showed the length of the stricture segment very well and differentiated stricture as malignant and benign

Keywords

• mr cholangiopancreatography
• ultrasonography
• hepatobiliary and pancreatic pathologies