Evaluation of the cystic duct using MR cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) with a synergy body coil (Phased-array Coil)

This study was conducted to evaluate the visibility of the cystic duct by MRCP when using a synergy body coil (SB coil). In our study, 32 patients underwent MRCP using the SB coil. Another 23 patients underwent MRCP using a C1 coil, and were studied for comparison. The results were independently reviewed by 2 radiologists. The visibility of the cystic duct and the position of cystic duct insertion were scored using the length of the common bile duct and the extra-hepatic duct. Direct cholangiography and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) were used as the standard for comparison. In the study, the cystic duct was visualized 100% when using MRCP with the SB coil. When MRCP was done using the C1 coil, the visualization rate was 96%. Inter-observer difference of the scored position of the cystic duct was smaller when using the SB coil than when using the C1 coil (Kappa value: 0.795 and 0.189 respectively). The average difference between the MRCP with SB coil and cholangiography scores was 0.079%. Therefore, our study suggests that MRCP using the SB coil is an accurate, reliable, and clinically useful method of evaluating the cystic duct. (author)