Type:
Educational Exhibit
Keywords:
Biliary Tract / Gallbladder, Abdomen, Emergency, MR, Education, Cholangiography, Acute, Inflammation, Dilatation, MR-Cholangiography
Authors:
M. Puglia1, C. Massimo2, R. Danzi2, G. Gervasio3, I. Ferrara4, A. Ragozzino1; 1Napoli/IT, 2Naples/IT, 3Casandrino, NA/IT, 4Napoli (NA)/IT
DOI:
10.1594/ecr2018/C-1582
Conclusion
Evaluation of patients with acute biliary condition is common in diagnostic radiology.
Although MDCT and US are the most used emergency abdominal imaging methods,
the additional information provided by MRCP in the evaluation of patients with acute-biliary disorders,
like suspected bile leak,
complicated cholecystitis,
biliary obstruction,
and in traumatic disorders are invaluable.
Familiarity with the optimal imaging protocols and imaging appearance of pathology is the key to an accurate diagnosis and patient management.
MR imaging may prove to be a cost-effective strategy for imaging in the emergency or urgent setting,
where studies can demonstrate a decrease in test redundancy or a more rapid diagnosis and an appropriate triage of the early treatment.
The use of MR imaging in the emergency setting is evolving.
Clear indications include:
- situations in need of contrast media when iodinated contrast cannot be administered;
- to facilitate assessments in pregnant patients and children when exposure to ionizing radiation is considered unacceptable.
Further investigations are needed to identify the diagnostic algorithms for which this favorable use holds true.