MR cholangiopancreatography: evaluation of common pancreatic diseases

In the initial evaluation of common pancreatic disorders, MR cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) has replaced the use of diagnostic endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) at many institutions. MRCP is a heavily T2-weighted MR sequence that depicts the fluid-containing pancreatic duct in a noninvasive manner, avoiding potential complications associated with ERCR MRCP is useful in the setting of pancreatitis for the identification of aberrant ductal anatomy and complications, and is valuable for detecting and characterizing cystic pancreatic masses. Furthermore, with the addition of conventional T1-weighted, T2-weighted, and gadolinium-enhanced sequences to MRCP, pancreatic adenocarcinoma can also be detected and staged. This article reviews MRCP with regard to the evaluation of common pancreatic diseases, with emphasis on its use for guiding treatment options.