Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography

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MRCP image of two stones in the distal common bile duct.
MRCP image of two stones in the distal common bile duct.

Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) is a medical imaging technique which uses magnetic resonance imaging to visualise the biliary and pancreatic ducts in a non-invasive manner. This procedure can be used to determine if gallstones are lodged in any of the ducts surrounding the gallbladder.

MRCP is a less invasive alternative to endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in the diagnosis of biliary and pancreatic duct disorders. However, while ERCP can be both diagnostic and therapeutic, MRCP is purely diagnostic; direct intervention is not possible with MRCP. An important advantage of MRCP is that cross-sectional images can be obtained, displaying not only the ductal system but also surrounding parenchyma; this allows direct visualisation of pancreatic neoplasms and other diseases.

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