Comparison of Diagnostic Power of MRCP and ERCP in the Diagnosis of Bile Duct Stones

Examination of bile ducts and pancreas by magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) are two methods in the diagnosis of biliary tract diseases. Since ERCP is more invasive than MRCP, this study was performed to evaluate the diagnostic value of MRCP compared to ERCP.

This cross-sectional study was performed on 130 patients over 18 years of age who were suspected of common bile duct stone, also known as choledocholithiasis, based on tests and clinical examinations. MRCP was performed first and then ERCP was performed and the results of these two methods were compared.

The mean age of the subjects was 59.6±13.7 years. 53 were male (40.8%) and 77 were female (59.2%). Stone was reported with MRCP in 91 patients (70%) and ERCP in 96 patients (73.8%). The sensitivity of MRCP in the diagnosis of common bile duct stones compared to ERCP was 88.5% while the the specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and diagnostic value of MRCP in the diagnosis of common bile duct stones compared to ERCP were 82.3%, 93.4%, 71.7%, 86.1%, respectively.

The results of the study showed that MRCP has a high diagnostic power in the diagnosis of common bile duct stones. Therefore, it can be used as a primary method to detect the presence or absence of common bile duct stones.