ABSTRACT
Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography MRCP was performed in 300 consecutive patients with clinical diagnosis of obstructive jaundice. These patients were divided into three groups. Group one included 120 patients in whom ERCP was performed within 72 hours prior or after MRCP. Group two included 20 patients in whom ERCP was failed [12 patients] and patients refused the procedure [8 patients]. Group three included 160 patients in whom MRCP was done as the primary diagnostic modality. Ultrasonography was done in conjunction with MRCP in all groups. The results of MRCP matched that of ERCP as regards to the determination of presence or absence of obstruction and its level. ERCP has a major advantage of its ability to perform a therapeutic drainage procedure simultaneously with imaging which was not possible with MRCP