Primary sclerosing cholangitis: MR cholangiopancreatography and T2-weighted MR imaging findings
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Abdominal Imaging - Original Article
P: 213-218
December 2005

Primary sclerosing cholangitis: MR cholangiopancreatography and T2-weighted MR imaging findings

Diagn Interv Radiol 2005;11(4):213-218
1. From the Department of Radiology, Ankara University School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
2. Departments of Radiology, Ankara University School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
3. Department of Radiology, Ankara University School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
4. From the Departments of Gastroenterology, Ankara University School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
No information available.
No information available
Received Date: 11.05.2005
Accepted Date: 06.09.2005
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ABSTRACT

PURPOSE

To present MR cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) findings and to determine the hepatic morphological changes of primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) seen on T2-weighted fast spin echo (FSE) images.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Twenty-three patients (15 women, 8 men) with ages ranging from 17 to 80 years (median, 45.1 years) were included in the study. MR imaging was performed on a 1 Tesla MR unit using a phased-array coil. Heavily T2-weighted images were obtained with single-shot fast spin echo technique for MRCP. Morphological changes encountered in livers were evaluated with coronal and axial T2-weighted fast spin echo images.

RESULTS

Irregularities, multifocal strictures, and dilatations in different levels of the biliary channels were seen in all patients. T2-weighted images showed lobulated hepatic contours in 21.73%, atrophy in both anterior and posterior segments of the right lobe in 21.73%, atrophy in the anterior segment in 13.04%, atrophy in both medial and lateral segments of the left lobe in 17.39%, atrophy in the medial segment in 8.69%, atrophy in the lateral segment in 4.34%, hypertrophy in the posterior segment of the right lobe in 4.34%, global hypertrophy in the left lobe in 4.34%, hypertrophy in the lateral segment of the left lobe in 4.34%, and caudate lobe hypertrophy in 21.73% of the patients. In addition, periportal edema was noted in 39.13%, increased parenchymal signal on T2-weighted images in 26.08%, periportal and/or portocaval lymphadenopathy in 34.78%, and portal hypertension in 34.78% of our patients. In one patient (4.34%), the liver had a round shape characteristic of PSC.

CONCLUSION

MR imaging is a useful method for establishing the changes in biliary ducts specific to PSC, and for identifying long-standing cases complicated with cirrhosis.