Biliary dilatation: differentiation of benign from malignant causes-value of adding axial T2 W1 to single shot-breath hold MR cholangiopancreatography

MRCP is a rapidly developing technique with progressively increased role in the assessment of jaundiced patients. This study included 42 patients presenting with biliary obstruction. The study tried to asses the reliability of single shot breath hold MRCP technique and the superadded value of complementary conventional axial T2 WI. Such axial images confirmed the MRCP diagnosis in 28 cases [66.7%] and increased the diagnostic accuracy of MRCP in 11 cases [26.2%]. Furthermore, they extended the information to extrabiliary structures in all the malignant 17 cases providing staging criteria that would influence management planning. The study concluded that conventional axial T2 WI should be considered indispensable in any MRCP study