Application of magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography in the resectability evaluation for mucin-producing intrahepatic biliary tumor

A precise diagnosis of mucin-producing intrahepatic biliary tumor (MPIBT) based on ultrasonography,abdominal computed tomography and percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography was often imposible because of a large amount of mucin.Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP)was rarely used for the preoperative diagnosis of MPIBT.The clinical data of 10 patients with MPIBT who received surgical treatment at the Fujian Provincial Hospital from January 2004 to December 2012 were retrospectively analyzed,and the value of MRCP in the diagnosis and resectability evaluation of MPIBT was investigated.Asymmetry of bile duct dilatation and the dilatation of both extra-and intrahepatic bile duct distal to the tumor and without sudden interruption in extrahepatic bile duct was the most characteristic appearance of MPIBT on MRCP.The point between dilated bile duct and relatively normal bile duct was the border between tumor and normal bile duct mucosa,which decided whether the MPIBT should be chosen before surgery.According to preoperative planning,5 patients underwent radical surgical resection and 5 received palliative biliary drainage.As a non-invasive technique,MRCP may be an effective means for the diagnosis and resectability evaluation of MPIBT. Key words: Mucin-producing intrahepatic biliary tumor;  Diagnosis ;  Treatment ; Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography