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Background/aims: To determine the role of magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatogram with conventional abdominal magnetic resonance examination in patients presenting clinically with upper abdominal pain and abnormal liver function tests and to compare the findings with endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatogram results., Methodology: Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatogram and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatogram were done in 77 patients. Conventional magnetic resonance examination of the liver and upper abdomen was done first followed by magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatogram using a half fourrier single shot turbo spin echo sequence. Conventional endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatogram was done by direct intraductal injection of radiographic contrast material through a duodenoscope under fluoroscopy control., Results: Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatogram failed in 7 patients (9%) and Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatogram images were inadequate in 3 patients (4%). The findings of adequate magnetic resonance exams in 74 patients were: choledocholithiasis in 24 patients (32%), bile duct stricture in 19 patients (26%), normal biliary ducts in 29 patients (39%) and dilated biliary ducts with no definite cause in 2 patients (3%). The findings of successful endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatograms in 67 patients after exclusion of inadequate magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatograms were: choledocholithiasis in 25 patients (37%), bile duct stricture in 18 patients (27%), normal biliary ducts in 21 patients (31%) and dilated biliary ducts with no evident cause in 2 patients (3%) and hemobilia in 1 patient (2%)., Conclusions: Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatogram is a non-invasive technique, its accuracy is increased if it is combined with conventional abdominal magnetic resonance exam and it can replace the endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatogram.

Background/aims: Management of common bile duct stones in the era of laparoscopic surgery is still controversial. The purpose of this study is to investigate the safety, feasibility, success rate and short-term results of the selective use of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy., Methodology: A prospective study comprising 300 consecutive patients with either symptomatic or complicated gallbladder stones was performed between January 1994 and November 1996. Depending on clinical, laboratory and ultrasonographic criteria, 73 patients (24.3%) underwent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography with or without endoscopic sphincterotomy. The procedure was successful in 71 patients (97%) either preoperatively in 62 patients (21%) or postoperatively in 9 patients (3%)., Results: Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography was positive in 37 cases (52%), endoscopic sphincterotomy and stone extraction was performed in 35 cases and endoscopic sphincterotomy alone was performed in 2 cases for benign papillary stenosis. The overall predictive value for the presence of common bile duct stone was 52%, the predictive value for patients with jaundice, dilated common bile duct together with elevated liver enzymes was 73.3%. Complications of perioperative endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography were encountered in 4 patients (5.5%) with no mortality., Conclusions: We conclude that the combination of perioperative endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography and laparoscopic cholecystectomy is a useful approach for the management of choledochocholelithiasis.