• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.49-56
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• 2001

Purpose : To evaluate value of superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) as a negative oral contrast agent in MR cholangiopancreatography (MRCP). Materials and methods : Forty-eight patients with suspected biliary tract or pancreatic diseases and six healthy volunteers were enrolled in this study. All MR images were obtained using a 1.5 T MR unit. MR-CP using fat-suppressed half-Fourier acquisition single-shot turbo spin echo (HASTE) and turbo spin echo (TSE) techniques were performed and reconstructed with maximal intensity projection (MIP). To determine the most optimal concentration of SPIO to obliterate the high signal intensity of water, a phantom experiment was conducted with various concentrations of SPIO-water mixture. Two radiologists evaluated pre- and postcontrast MRCPS. The contrast enhancement was assessed on the basis of loss of signal intensity in the stomach and duodenum. Results : In the phantom experiment, a significant increase of percentage of signal intensity loss (PSIL) occurred in concentration of 22.4 ugFe/ml (Feridex1 ml diluted with water 500 ml). Postcontrast MRCP showed an improved image quality compared with precontrast images. The rate of improvement in the diagnosis of diseases of the common bile duct and pancreatic duct was 25% (12/48). Conclusion : In patients with suspected biliary tract and pancreatic diseases, the SPIO is useful as a negative oral contrast agent for MRCP and provides an improvement of image quality.

• Journal of Magnetics
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.138-144
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• 2012

3-dimensional magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) images reconstructed using the maximum intensity projection technique were analyzed qualitatively in patients diagnosed with pancreatobiliary diseases to determine their diagnostic utility. Single shot fast spin echo (SSFSE), fast spin echo (FSE) and 3-dimensional reconstructive images were acquired from 20 patients diagnosed histologically with pancreatobiliary diseases using a 3.0T MR scanner. According to qualitative analysis, the fast spin echo images and 3-dimensional reconstructed images of the hepatic duct, gall bladder and common bile duct had a higher signal to noise ratio (SNR) than the single shot fast spin echo images. Fast spin echo images and 3-dimensional reconstructed images did not show any differences. The contrast to noise ratio of the hepatic duct, gallbladder and common bile duct on the fast spin echo images and 3-dimensional reconstructed images was higher than that of the single shot fast spin echo images. The fast spin echo images and 3-dimensional reconstructed images showed similar quality.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.148-153
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• 1997

Purpose: To evaluate the diagnostic role of a three-dimensional MR cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) over endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography (ERCP) in various extrah-epatic biliary disease. Materials and Methods: MRCP and ERCP were performed in 45 consecutive patients with suspected extrahepatic biliary diseases. MRCP was obtained using a reverse fast imaging with a steady-state free precession (reverse FISP: PSIF) sequence, and then images were reconstructed by standard MIP algorithm. The predictability of biliary dilatation and level of obstruction of MRCP was evaluated using ERCP as a gold standard. The accuracy distinguishing malignant from benign lesions, and overall diagnostic accuracy were compared between MRCP and ERCP. Results: The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of MRCP in predicting biliary dilatation were 94.6%, 75.0% and 91.1%, respectively. The level of obstruction was accurate in 87.0% with MRCP. The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of MRCP and ERCP in distinguishing malignant from benign lesions were 76.2%, 87.5% and 82.2% and 71.4%, 83.3% and 77.8%, respectively. The overall diagnostic accuracy was 60.0% with MRCP and 55.6% with ERCP. Conclusion: 3D MRCP shows a good diagnostic value compared to that of ERCP, and can replace a ERCP.

• Anatomy and Cell Biology
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• v.57 no.1
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• pp.31-44
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• 2024

The exocrine part of the pancreas has a duct system called the pancreatic ductal system (PDS). Its mechanism of development is complex, and any reorganization during early embryogenesis can give rise to anatomical variants. The aim of this study is to collect, classify, and analyze published evidence on the importance of anatomical variants of the PDS, addressing gaps in our understanding of such variations. The MEDLINE, Web of Science, Embase, and Google Scholar databases were searched to identify publications relevant to this review. R studio with meta-package was used for data extraction, risk of bias estimation, and statistical analysis. A total of 64 studies out of 1,778 proved suitable for this review and metanalysis. The meta-analysis computed the prevalence of normal variants of the PDS (92% of 10,514 subjects). Type 3 variants and "descending" subtypes of the main pancreatic duct (MPD) predominated in the pooled samples. The mean lengths of the MPD and accessory pancreatic duct (APD) were 16.53 cm and 3.36 cm, respectively. The mean diameters of the MPD at the head and the APD were 3.43 mm and 1.69 mm, respectively. The APD was present in only 41% of samples, and the long type predominated. The pancreatic ductal anatomy is highly variable, and the incorrect identification of variants may be challenging for surgeons during ductal anastomosis with gut, failure to which may often cause ductal obstruction or pseudocysts formation.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.61-64
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• 2013

Infection-induced acute hepatitis complicated with acute pancreatitis is associated with hepatitis A virus, hepatitis B virus or hepatitis E virus. Although rare, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection should be considered also in the differential diagnosis if the patient has acute hepatitis combined with pancreatitis. We report a case of EBV infection with cholestatic hepatitis and pancreatitis with review of literature. An 11-year-old female was admitted due to 1-day history of abdominal pain and vomiting without any clinical symptoms of infectious mononucleosis. Diagnosis of reactivated EBV infection was made by the positive result of viral capsid antigen (VCA) IgM, VCA IgG, Epstein-Barr nuclear antigen and heterophile antibody test. We performed serologic tests and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography to exclude other viral or bacterial infection, autoimmune disorder, and structural problems. The patient's symptoms recovered rapidly and blood chemistry returned to normal with conservative treatment similar to previously reported cases.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.193-197
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• 2008

Recent studies suggest that sphincter of Oddi dysfunction (SOD) is one of the possible causes of unexplained recurrent acute pancreatitis in children. A 14-year-old boy who had suffered from idiopathic recurrent acute pancreatitis was diagnosed with SOD. Abdominal ultrasonography, computerized tomography, and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography revealed no evidence of stone, tumor, or pancreatic ductal anomaly. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and sphincter of Oddi manometry (SOM) revealed elevated basal pressure and tachyoddia consistent with SOD. Hence, an endoscopic pancreatic sphincterotomy was performed. We report a case of recurrent acute pancreatitis associated with SOD in a child. ERCP and SOM may be considered in patients with multiple unexplained attacks of pancreatic pain and negative abdominal imaging.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.154-163
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• 2021

Purpose: In children overlap of autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) and primary sclerosing cholangitis is labelled as autoimmune sclerosing cholangitis (ASC). The only prospective pediatric study showed a high prevalence of ASC by using endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. Aims of our study were to find the prevalence of ASC by using magnetic resonance cholangiography (MRC) in AIH and in non-AIH cirrhosis and to compare clinical presentation and outcome of AIH and ASC. Methods: Prospectively we did MRC in 38 children with AIH (cases) and 19 disease controls (Wilson disease). Multiple biliary strictures with proximal dilatation on MRC were taken as definitive changes of ASC. Detail clinical, laboratory parameters, liver histopathology and treatment outcome were recorded. Results: The median age of cases was 11.5 (3-18) years, 22 (57.9%) were girls and 28 (73.7%) were diagnosed as type 1 AIH. MRC was done in 11 children (28.9%) at the time of diagnosis and in 27 (71.1%) after a median follow-up of 2.5 (0.3-10) years. Abnormal MRC changes were seen in 14/38 (36.8%) of AIH and 8/19 (42.1%) of controls. However, definite changes of ASC were present in four (10.5%) children in AIH and none in controls. None of the clinical, laboratory, histological parameters and treatment response were significantly different between ASC and AIH groups. Conclusion: The prevalence of ASC in children with AIH was just 10.5%. We suggest MRC in select group with cholestatic features, inflammatory bowel disease and in those who showed poor response to immunosuppression instead of all children with AIH.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.93-97
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• 2016

Hepatic duct confluence injury, which is developed by blunt abdominal trauma, is rare. Conventionally, bile duct injury was treated by surgical intervention. In recent decades, however, there had been an increase in radiologic or endoscopic intervention to treat bile duct injury. In a hemodynamically stable patient, endoscopic intervention is considered as the first-line treatment for bile duct injury. A 40 year-old man was transferred to the emergency department of ${\bigcirc}{\bigcirc}$ trauma center after multiple blunt injuries. Contrast-enhanced abdominal computed tomography performed in another hospital showed a liver laceration with active arterial bleeding, fracture of the sacrum and left inferior pubic ramus, and intraperitoneal bladder rupture. The patient presented with hemorrhagic shock because of intra-peritoneal hemorrhage. After resuscitation, angiographic intervention was performed. After angiographic embolization of the liver laceration, emergency laparotomy was performed to repair the bladder injury. However, there was no evidence of bile duct injury on initial laparotomy. On post-trauma day (PTD) 4, the color of intra-abdominal drainage of the patient changed to a greenish hue; bile leakage was revealed on magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). Bile leakage was detected near the hepatic duct confluence; therefore, a biliary stent was placed into the left hepatic duct. On PTD 37, contrast leakage was still detected but both hepatic ducts were delineated on the second ERCP. Stents were placed into the right and left hepatic ducts. On PTD 71, a third ERCP revealed no contrast leakage; therefore, all stents were removed after 2 weeks (PTD 85). ERCP and biliary stenting could be effective treatment options for hemodynamically stable patients after blunt trauma.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.286-290
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• 2016

Inspissated bile syndrome (IBS) is a rare condition in which thick intraluminal bile, including bile plugs, sludge, or stones, blocks the extrahepatic bile ducts in an infant. A 5-week-old female infant was admitted for evaluation of jaundice and acholic stool. Diagnostic tests, including ultrasound sonography, magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography, and a hepatobiliary scan, were not conclusive. Although the diagnosis was unclear, the clinical and laboratory findings improved gradually on administration of urodeoxycholic acid and lipid emulsion containing omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) for 3 weeks. However, a liver biopsy was suggestive of biliary atresia. This finding forced us to perform intraoperative cholangiography, which revealed a patent common bile duct with impacted thick bile. We performed normal saline irrigation and the symptom was improved, the final diagnosis was IBS. Thus, we herein report that IBS can be treated with omega-3 PUFAs as an alternative to surgical intervention.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.385-392
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• 2023

Caroli's disease is a fibrocystic liver disease. Autosomal recessive disorder is characterized by congenital multiple dilatation of the bile duct. Computerized tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, cholangiography and ultrasound are among the methods for diagnosing caroli disease. Computerized tomography is essential for detecting and distinguishing fibroplastic liver disease and is useful for determining intrahepatic bile duct dilatation. However, awareness of the possible side effects of using contrast mediums is necessary. A typical method of magnetic resonance cholangiography is used for magnetic resonance imaging. A non-invasive examination can reduce the pain of the patient, and the anatomical structure of the bile pancreatic duct and the presence or absence of lesions can be easily and quickly observed. Biliary contrast is an effective diagnostic method that can directly visualize various cystic dilatations throughout the enlarged bile duct. However, since this procedure is also an invasive procedure, it is recommended not for diagnosis but for treatment purposes. Ultrasonography can confirm similar findings to computerized tomography. The hepatic artery root is difficult to prove with conventional grayscale ultrasound. However, it is of clinical value in that it can not only describe dilated bile ducts with vascular roots in the tube but also easily identify color Doppler signals in the tube. With the development of video diagnostics, early diagnosis has become possible through computerized tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, cholangiography, and ultrasound. In order to further contribute to the development of video diagnostics so that long-term prognosis can be improved after treatment through early diagnosis, we examined what aspects of each test's caroli disease appear.