Magnetic resonance imaging features of small-duct primary sclerosing cholangitis

Kazuto Kozaka, Shannon P. Sheedy, John E. Eaton, Sudhakar K. Venkatesh, Jay P. Heiken

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the biliary tree and hepatic parenchymal findings on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) in small-duct primary sclerosing cholangitis (SD-PSC). Methods: Thirty-nine patients with biopsy-proven primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) without any bile duct abnormality on MRCP (n = 15) or ERCP (n = 24) at the time of diagnosis were identified. Follow-up MRCP was available in 36/39 patients (12/15 Baseline MRCP group and 24 Baseline ERCP group). Two radiologists in consensus assessed the MRI/MRCP findings. The baseline MRI/MRCP of 15 SD-PSC patients was compared with MRI/MRCP of 15 normal healthy potential liver donors (Control group). Comparisons were made between SD-PSC patients and the Control group, and between baseline and follow-up MRI/MRCP findings in the SD-PSC patients. Results: In the 15 Baseline MRCP SD-PSC subjects, the biliary tree was normal with a trend of larger bile ducts compared to the Control group. Periductal enhancement (arterial phase: 70%, 7/10; delayed phase: 90%, 9/10), heterogeneous parenchymal signal on T2-weighted (53%, 8/15) and post contrast-enhanced images (70%, 7/10), and enlarged periportal lymph nodes (73%, 11/15) were frequently present in patients with SD-PSC. Eight (33%) of 24 SD-PSC patients who had normal MRCP at baseline MRCP or initial follow-up MRCP after normal baseline ERCP showed large-duct PSC (LD-PSC) features on follow-up and the 10-year cumulative incidence for progression to LD-PSC rate was 8.5%. Conclusion: SD-PSC patients have a normal biliary tree but frequently have peribiliary enhancement, abnormal parenchymal signal intensity, and periportal lymphadenopathy. One-third shows progression to LD-PSC on follow-up.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)2388-2399
Number of pages12
JournalAbdominal Radiology
Volume45
Issue number8
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 1 2020

Keywords

  • Bile duct dilation
  • Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography
  • Parenchyma heterogeneity
  • Small-duct primary sclerosing cholangitis

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Radiological and Ultrasound Technology
  • Radiology Nuclear Medicine and imaging
  • Gastroenterology
  • Urology

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