Anatomical Variations of Intrahepatic Bile Ducts on MRCP in Himachal Pradesh, North India

Abstract

Introduction: Assessment of branching pattern of intrahepatic bile duct seems to be important before performing surgeries related to liver and biliary tract. Aim: To determine the normal anatomical variations in branching pattern of intrahepatic bile duct (IHBD) on MRCP (Magnetic Resonance Cholangiopancreatography) in subjects from Himachal Pradesh, North India. Materials and Methods: Present study was conducted on 100 adult patients who were routinely assessed for MR abdomen along with MRCP. Classification of intrahepatic bile ducts was as per to the branching pattern of both right anterior and posterior segmental ducts as well as that of left hepatic duct. Results: Anatomy of the intrahepatic bile ducts was typical in 63% of 100 cases. Total 37 % frequency of atypical configuration was due to 18% of A2, 9 % A3, 8% A4 and 0% of A5 types. Whereas, 2% of the patients had other types of biliary configurations. On comparing the values belonging to females and males, it was found that incidence of atypical patterns was significantly more in males, and vice versa was true for typical pattern. The same was found to be true when comparison was done between 33 females and 23 males without any detectable pathologies. Conclusion: The difference in branching pattern of typical and atypical pattern in the population, and the difference between males and females seem to be important in surgical managements.

Keywords

• biliary variants
• branching pattern
• huang classification