MRCP FINDINGS IN OBSTRUCTIVE JAUNDICE

ABSTRACT
Objective: To evaluate causes of obstructive jaundice on MRCP.
Methods: An Analysis of 55 patients presenting with obstructive jaundice at Radiology Department HMC Peshawar
is carried out from March 2005 – September 2005. MRCP was the main diagnostic tool in all the cases. The objective
of the study was to find out the causes of obstructive jaundice on MRCP using 1.5 T MRI. The MRCP was evaluated
for biliary channel dilatation, presence of stricture, filling defect or any soft tissue mass, level of obstruction in ductal
system and thus overall diagnostic impression.
Results: 35 patients were males and 20 were females. They were divided into four age groups i.e. 0-20 years (childhood
and adolescence), 21-40 years (young adult), 41-60 years (middle age) and above 61 years (old age). Choledocholithiasis
was the most common cause of obstructive jaundice i.e. (45.45%) followed by carcinoma Pancreas (16.36%)
and Cholangiocarcinoma (12.72%).
Conclusion: MRCP is a non invasive Diagnostic tool which will not only tells us about the cause and level of obstruction
but also helps us in selection of those patients who require therapeutic procedure. Hence it is recommended that
MRCP should be indicated in patients suspected of having obstructive jaundice.
Key Words: MRCP, obstructive jaundice, cholestasis, Diagnosis, Jaundice, Choledocholithiasis