Biliary ductal involvement of hilar cholangiocarcinoma: Multidetector computed tomography versus magnetic resonance cholangiography

Objective: To compare the diagnostic accuracy of multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) and magnetic resonance cholangiography (MRC) in evaluating the extent of biliary involvement of hilar cholangiocarcinoma. Methods: Images of 16-detector MDCT, MRC, and direct cholangiography of 33 patients with pathologically proven hilar cholangiocarcinoma were retrospectively interpreted independently by 2 radiologists according to the Bismuth classification. In the operated 14 patients, the diagnostic accuracies of MDCT and MRC were calculated according to surgical and pathological records. In nonoperated 19 patients, the agreement of MDCT and MRC with direct cholangiography was calculated. Results: In the operated patients, the diagnostic accuracy of MDCT was 64.3%, and that of MRC was 71.4%, without statistical difference (P = 0.93). In nonoperated patients, the agreement of MDCT with direct cholangiography was 73.7%, and that of MRC was 94.7%, without statistical difference (P = 0.58). Conclusions: In evaluating the biliary ductal extension of hilar cholangiocarcinoma, MDCT and MRC showed similar accuracies and agreements.