Diagnostic accuracy of magnetic resonance cholangio-pancreatography in evaluation of obstructive jaundice

Abstract

Objective: To determine the diagnostic accuracy of magnetic resonance cholangio-pancreatography in the evaluation of obstructive jaundice taking endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography (ERCP) as the gold standard. Methods: The cross-sectional study was conducted at the Radiology Department of the Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation from August, 2009, to February, 2010. It comprised 77 patients (36 males and 41 females) with clinically obstructive jaundice referred for magnetic resonance cholangio-pancreatography evaluation. The findings were compared with the gold standard. Data was analysed using SPSS version 15. Results: The sensitivity of magnetic resonance cholangio-pancreatography for obstructive jaundice was 97%; specificity was 75% and accuracy was 80%, while positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) were 99% and 60% respectively. Conclusion: Magnetic resonance cholangio-pancreatography is a relatively quick, accurate and non-invasive imaging modality for the assessment of obstructive jaundice in ruling out potentially correctable underlying causes and reducing unnecessary invasive interventions.