Magnetic Resonance Cholangiopancreatography

Background

Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) is a noninvasive special type of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) that utilizes a powerful magnetic field and radio waves to produce detailed pictures of the hepatobiliary and pancreatic systems, including the liver, gallbladder, bile ducts, pancreas, and pancreatic duct. The word “cholangiopancreatography” is derived from Greek by combining “chole” (bile), “angio” (vessel), “pancreato” (pancreas), and “graphy” (write). MRCP was first described in 1991 by Wallner and colleagues and over time has evolved into a desirable imaging study in the diagnosis of pancreaticobiliary pathologies, especially for patients allergic to iodine-based contrast materials or in patients with failed or incomplete endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). See Chapter 41: Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Chapter 28: Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography for more details about these tests.