Biliary obstruction: evaluation with three-dimensional MR cholangiography.

Three-dimensional (3D) magnetic resonance (MR) projection imaging was evaluated as a noninvasive alternative to direct cholangiography in 12 patients with malignancy-related obstructive jaundice. The 3D images of the bile ducts were formed by subjecting consecutive coronal MR images obtained with a fast imaging method to a maximum-intensity projection algorithm. Dilatation and obstruction of the biliary system were well documented in all cases, and good correlation between findings at 3D MR cholangiography and percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage performed 0-21 days later was observed.