Examinations of the bile ducts, gallbladder and pancreas – non-invasive – no endoscope
Disorders of the bile ducts and pancreas were and still are sometimes examined using endoscopic procedures, known as endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatoscopy (ERCP). An endoscope is inserted via the mouth into the duodenum (distal to the stomach) in order to probe the bile ducts and pancreatic ducts from there. In order to visualize these small ducts, contrast medium must be injected into them, which often leads to inflammation of these sensitive tissues.
Our recommendation
An MRI cholangiopancreaticography (MRCP) is non-invasive and effective for assessing the bile ducts and pancreas.
This is no longer necessary today. With MRI-based magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatoscopy (MRCP), the bile ducts and pancreatic ducts can be examined non-invasively. The bile serves as a natural contrast medium, so there is no need to insert an endoscope. And the MRI examination shows more: in addition to the duct system of the liver and pancreas, the parenchyma of the organs is also imaged, as the MRI provides 3D images of the entire upper abdomen. Thus, changes in the tissue of the liver and pancreas can be detected at the same time.
