Magnetic resonance imaging and other medical imaging techniques in the diagnosis of gallstones

Abstract

Biliary diseases are one of the most common pathologies of the digestive system in the world. However, assessing the prevalence of biliary diseases is difficult, due to the asymptomatic course of the disease in some cases. Biliary diseases are a diagnostic problem, especially if a complicated course of the disease is suspected, and when the etiology cannot be established after laboratory examination and ultrasound imaging. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a highly specific non-invasive method for examining the gallbladder and imaging the bile ducts to identify gallstones, biliary strictures, tumors, and detect the level of obstruction. Magnetic resonance cholangiography/cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) is currently considered to be the most accurate non-invasive procedure for detecting bile duct stones, with high sensitivity, which allows to obtain a detailed image of the biliary tract. MRI is an established imaging technique for the biliary tract, has better contrast resolution, and is an excellent diagnostic tool. The choice of method to start the diagnosis with depends on many factors and requires careful interaction between the gastroenterologist and the radiologist to optimize the imaging technique.