New method to obtain a distinct image of the pancreas, the main pancreatic duct, and the common bile duct with MR imaging

In order to obtain precise information about the pancreas, main pancreatic duct, and common bile duct, a new method of MR imaging was tried. Five minutes after the injection of Gd-DTPA, MR images were obtained by means of a Magnetom (1.0-T or 1.5-T) unit with a rectangular sequence and with 16 acquisitions. Five cases of pancreatic cancer, 1 of cholangioma in the middle common bile duct, three of pancreatitis, and three of normal pancreas were examined. Results are presented. Comparison between MR images and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) was performed. On MR images, the main pancreatic duct and common bile duct are clearly visualized, revealing the same findings as in ERCP. In cases of pancreatic cancer, the tumor and the invasion to the surrounding vessels were clearly visualized