Resumen

YARMUCH G, JULIO; NAVARRETE C, MARÍA FRANCISCA; LEMBACH J, HANNS  y  MOLINA F, JUAN CARLOS. Yield of magnetic resonance cholangiography for the diagnosis of choledocolitiasis. Rev Chil Cir [online]. 2008, vol.60, n.2, pp. 122-126. ISSN 0718-4026.  doi: 10.4067/S0718-40262008000200007.

Background: Approximately 25% of patients with cholelithiasis have choledocolithiasis simultaneously. Therefore this condition must be correctly diagnosed in the preoperative period. Aim: To assess the yield of magnetic resonance cholangiography (MRC) for the diagnosis of choledocolithiasis in patients with cholelithiasis. Material and methods: Retrospective review of magnetic resonance cholangiography and endoscopio retrograde cholangiography (ERCP) performed in patients with suspicion of biliary tract obstruction,. The yield of MRC was calculated using ERCP as the gold standard. Results: One hundred thirty patients with both procedures were identified, but 72 had to be excluded. Therefore the analysis was done in 58 patients aged 23 to 87 years (36 males). There was a concordance between MRC and ERCP in 52 patients (90%). Thus, MRC sensitivity was 93% (95% confidence intervals (Cl) 84-97 %), specificity was 77% (95%CI 65-86%), positive predictive value was 93% and negative predictive value was 77%. Conclusions: MRC has a good positive predictive value for choledocolithiasis

Palabras clave : Choledocolithiasis; magnetic resonance; cholangiography.