MR imaging of the biliary system

• Published in: Magnetic resonance imaging clinics of North America Vol. 3; no. 1; p. 143
• Main Authors: Brink, J A, Borrello, J A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.02.1995
• Subjects: Biliary Tract - anatomy & histology; Biliary Tract - pathology; Biliary Tract Diseases - diagnosis; Gallbladder - anatomy & histology; Gallbladder - pathology; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging - methods
• ISSN: 1064-9689
• DOI: 10.1016/S1064-9689(21)00151-3

MR imaging has a distinct role to play in two areas of hepatobiliary imaging that continue to challenge the radiologist--evaluation of the gallbladder and evaluation of the jaundiced patient. The distinction between primary gallbladder carcinoma and chronic cholecystitis remains a diagnostic dilemma for all cross-sectional imaging modalities. MR imaging may be useful in detection of local invasion or metastatic disease. Gallstones are commonly seen coincidentally on cross-sectional imaging studies; the imaging characteristics of gallstones must be well-understood for the interpretation of routine abdominal MR examinations. The evaluation of jaundice is a multimodality process, often requiring three or four separate imaging techniques to determine the cause of biliary obstruction. MR may supplant more invasive techniques for anatomic depiction prior to therapeutic intervention.