Efficacy of Diagnosis of Mechanical Cholestasis by MagneticResonance Cholangiography

The aims of this study were to evaluatethe effectiveness of magnetic resonance cholangiography (MRC) indiagnosing patients with cholestasis and to compare these results tothose obtained with endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreaticography(ERCP). From January 1996 to December 1998 a total of 85consecutive patients who were candidates for ERCP because of asuspected diagnosis of mechanical cholestasis were included in thisstudy. All patients underwent MRC and consecutive ERCP 24 to 48 hourslater. The sensitivity for detecting common bile duct stones was 93%,specificity 74%, positive predictive value 89%, and negativepredictive value 82%. For the determination of tumorous bile ductstenosis the sensitivity and specificity were both 100%. MRC might bean ideal method for evaluating patients with unclear laboratory orultrasonography findings before laparoscopic cholecystectomy, therebyavoiding unnecessary invasive diagnostic tests with possible harmfulcomplications.