The anatomy of the pancreaticobiliary junction on magnetic resonance multi-planar imaging / 中华肝胆外科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To explore the use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the display of detailed anatomical structures at the pancreaticobiliary junction. Methods 112 patients who received enhanced MRI of upper abdomen were included in the study. Patients with pancreatic and/or biliary diseases diagnosed clinically and with laboratory tests were excluded. The types of junction between the terminal common bile duct and the pancreatic duct, and the location of the major duodenal papilla were studied on MRI. We measured the angle between the duodenum and the common pancreaticobiliary duct or the common bile duct. Results Of the 112 patients, the duodenal papillas were located at the upper, middle, and lower segment of the duodenum in 17. 0%, 66. 0% and 17. 0%, respectively.The angle between the common pancreaticobiliary duct or the distal common bile duct and the descending duodenum was 44. 4°±17. 3°. The pancreatic duct and the common bile duct opened separately in 9 patients (8. 0%). The confluence of the two ducts was present inside and outside of the duodenum wall in 13 (11. 6%) and 90 patients (80. 4%), respectively. The angle between the distal common bile duct and the pancreatic duct was 37. 8°±15.1°. Conclusion MRI was able to display detailed anatomical structures of the pancreaticobiliary junction, including the angle of the junction between the two ducts and the location of the duodenal papilla. It has the ability to provide meticulous anatomical data for the diagnosis and treatment of diseases at the pancreaticobiliary junction and to help surgeons formulate operative plans.