Can MRCP replace ERCP for the diagnosis of autoimmune pancreatitis

Background It is of utmost importance that autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) be differentiated from pancreatic cancer. Irregular narrowing of the main pancreatic duct is a characteristic finding in AIP; it is useful for differentiating AIP from pancreatic cancer stenosis. This study evaluated the usefulness of magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) for the diagnosis of AIP and assessed whether MRCP could replace endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) for diagnosing AIP.