Assessment of biliary anatomy in potential living liver donors: Added value of gadoxetic acid-enhanced T1 MR Cholangiography (MRC) including utilization of controlled aliasing in parallel imaging results in higher acceleration (CAIPIRINHA) technique in comparison to T2W-MRC

Precision Mapping of Intrahepatic Biliary Anatomy and Its Anatomical Variants Having a Normal Liver Using 2D and 3D MRCP

Despite significant advances in hepatobiliary surgery, biliary injury and leakage remain typical postoperative complications. Thus, a precise depiction of the intrahepatic biliary anatomy and anatomical variant is crucial in preoperative evaluation. This study aimed to evaluate the precision of 2D and 3D magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) in exact mapping of intrahepatic biliary anatomy and its variants anatomically in subjects with normal liver using intraoperative cholangiography (IOC) as a reference standard. Thirty-five subjects with normal liver activity were imaged via IOC and 3D MRCP. The findings were compared and statistically analyzed. Type I was observed in 23 subjects using IOC and 22 using MRCP. Type II was evident in 4 subjects via IOC and 6 via MRCP. Type III was observed equally by both modalities (4 subjects). Both modalities observed type IV in 3 subjects. The unclassified type was observed in a single subject via IOC and was missed in 3D MRCP. Accurate detection by MRCP of intrahepatic biliary anatomy and its anatomical variants was made in 33 subjects out of 35, with an accuracy of 94.3% and a sensitivity of 100%. In the remaining two subjects, MRCP results provided a false-positive pattern of trifurcation. MRCP competently maps the standard biliary anatomy.

Detection of intramural fat accumulation by 3D-Dixon-Caipirinha-Vibe and the contribution of this technique to the determination of the chronicity of Chron's disease

OBJECTIVES

In this study; we aimed to evaluate the efficacy of the 3D-Dixon-Caipirinha-Vibe fat images in detecting intramural fat accumulation (IFA) and contributions of 3D-Dixon-Caipirinha-Vibe in the management of patients with Chron's disease.

METHODS

Eighty-five patients who had a 3-tesla MR enterography (MRE) with the 3D-Dixon-Caipirinha-Vibe technique were included. Wall thickness, ADC-value, intramural edema, presence/extension of IFA, and contrast-material enhancement of the affected segments were examined. Findings of MRE were compared statistically with clinical, laboratory, endoscopy, and pathological exams.

RESULTS

The presence of IFA was more common in patients with chronic active and chronic inflammation than only active inflammation and normal cases. Patients with IFA had a longer disease duration than patients without IFA. IFA-containing segment lengths of patients with chronic active inflammation and chronic inflammation were found to be longer than those with active inflammation. It was found that patients whose pathology results were reported as active inflammation contained less IFA than patients with chronic inflammation.

CONCLUSIONS

The presence of IFA is strongly related to chronicity. 3D-Dixon-Caipirinha-Vibe is a fast, easy, and useful method for detecting IFA and evaluating Chron's disease.