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The rising incidence combined with pregnancy-related physiological changes make gallbladder and biliary pathology high on the differential for pregnant patients presenting with right upper abdominal pain. Imaging plays a crucial role in determining surgical versus non-surgical management in pregnant patients with biliary or gallbladder pathology. Ultrasound (first-line) and magnetic resonance with magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (second-line) are the imaging techniques of choice in pregnant patients with suspected biliary pathology due to their lack of ionizing radiation. MRI/MRCP offers an excellent non-invasive imaging option, providing detailed anatomical detail without known harmful fetal side effects. This article reviews physiological changes in pregnancy that lead to gallstone and biliary pathology, key imaging findings on US and MRI/MRCP, and management pathways.

Primary sclerosing cholangitis is a rare chronic inflammatory disease affecting the bile ducts, which can eventually result in bile duct strictures, cholestasis and cirrhosis. Patients are often asymptomatic but may present with clinical features of cholestasis. Imaging plays an important role in the diagnosis and management. This review covers the pathophysiology, clinical features, imaging findings as well as methods of surveillance and post-transplant appearance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pathologies of the biliary tree include a wide-spectrum of benign and malignant processes. The differential for benign disease includes congenital and acquired disease with variable prognosis and management pathways. Given the ability to mimic malignancy, benign processes are difficult to diagnose by imaging. Direct cholangiography techniques with tissue sampling are the gold standards for the diagnosis of benign and malignant biliary pathologies. Non-invasive imaging with ultrasound offers a first-line diagnostic tool while MRI/MRCP offers higher specificity for identifying underlying pathology and distinguishing from malignant disease. In this review, we focus on the imaging appearance of dilatation, cystic anomalies obstruction, inflammation, ischemia, strictures, pneumobilia, and hemobilia to help construct a differential for benign processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Primary biliary cholangitis is a rare progressive chronic inflammation of the medium and small bile ducts that abdominal radiologists may encounter, particularly if working in a tertiary setting or at a transplant center. This brief review covers current thinking about the pathophysiology and presentation of the disease, as well as the current diagnostic criteria in use by hepatologists. Imaging strategies for diagnosis will be reviewed as well as current treatment strategies and the use of imaging in monitoring response to treatment, including image-guided elastography. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the prevalence of intra- and extrahepatic ductal dilatation in asymptomatic individuals after cholecystectomy. Methods and materials: This IRB-approved retrospective cohort study evaluated the prevalence of intra- and extrahepatic biliary dilation in 77 consecutive post cholecystectomy patients who had CT obtained in the portal venous phase. These were then compared to age and sex matched control patients. Two radiologists in consensus blinded to surgical history evaluated the intrahepatic ducts qualitatively for dilatation. A single radiologist using the best of three orthogonal planes measured the extrahepatic ducts. Extrahepatic ducts were considered dilated if >7 mm plus 1 mm/decade after 60 years. T tests and chi-squared tests were performed. Results: Cholecystectomy patient duct patterns: normal ducts 26% (20/77); intra- and extrahepatic dilation 31.2% (24/77); intrahepatic dilation only 18.2% (14/77); extrahepatic dilation only 24.7% (19/77). Control patient duct patterns: normal ducts 88.3% (68/77); intra- and extrahepatic dilation 2.6% (2/77); intrahepatic dilation only 2.6% (2/77); extrahepatic dilation only 6.5% (5/77). All intrahepatic ductal dilatation was mild. Total intrahepatic dilation: 49.4% (cholecystectomy); 5.2% (control patients). The relative risk of intrahepatic ductal dilation in cholecystectomy patients was 9.5:1. Increased prevalence of intra- and extrahepatic dilation in cholecystectomy patients was statistically significant ( p < 0.0001). Average extrahepatic duct was 7.8 mm (cholecystectomy) and 5.3 mm (control patients) ( p < 0.001). Conclusion: Mild intrahepatic biliary dilation in the setting of cholecystectomy is very common, and if not associated with clinical or biochemical evidence of obstruction is likely of no clinical significance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]