MR cholangiopancreatography diagnosis for cholangitis caused by clonorchis sinensis

Objective: To evaluate the MR cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) diagnosis for cholangitis caused by clonorchis sinensis. Methods: Fifty-four cases with cholangitis caused by clonorchis sinensis were examined by MRCP (3D FASE-Heavy T2WI sequence). The results of MRCP were compared with that of ERCP, laparoscopy, and pathology. Results: The diagnostic accuracy for the cause of the disease was 88.9%. Main findings on MRCP included slight dilation of the intra-hepatic biliary duct (n=46), small cystiform dilation of peripheral biliary ending (n=43), extra-hepatic biliary dilations (n=15) and strictures (n=19), and low signal intensity filling defect in the common bile duct and gallbladder (n=6). Conclusion: MRCP of biliary tree images can be obtained with 3D FASE Heavy T2WI sequence in considerable details. The characteristic of the cholangitis caused by clonorchis sinensis on MRCP was the slight dilation or stricture of extensive intra-hepatic biliary duct, combined with small cystiform dilation of peripheral biliary ending. MRCP was an ideal technique in diagnosing the disease