"Evaluation of hepatobiliary disorders using magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography in a low-resource setting in Kano, Nigeria: a retrospective study".

BACKGROUND

Biliary disorders are a major health concern in Nigeria, where magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP), a non-invasive imaging tool offering effective duct visualization without radiation, is emerging as a key diagnostic modality. This retrospective study in Kano explored its role in diagnosing biliary and pancreatic disorders.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This retrospective study reviewed MRCP images and records of patients with suspected biliary disorders at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH), Kano, Nigeria. A 1.5T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machine obtained MRCPs following standard protocols, and key findings (e.g., calculus size and masses) were documented. Demographic and clinical data were analyzed in IBM-Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), with p<0.05 considered significant. Ethical approval was obtained, and patient confidentiality was upheld.

RESULTS

A study of 101 participants (mean age: 44 ± 19.41 years, range: 3 months to 80 years) revealed a male predominance (55.4%). Obstructive jaundice (46.5%) was the most common MRCP indication, with imaging abnormalities observed in 84.2%, primarily obstructive cholelithiasis (22.8%) and pancreatic head masses (13.9%).

CONCLUSION

MRCP successfully detected hepatobiliary and pancreatic abnormalities in most patients, with obstructive jaundice being the primary indication and obstructive cholelithiasis the most frequent diagnosis. The study also found a correlation between main pancreatic duct diameter and age, where larger diameters signalled abnormalities, reinforcing MRCP's diagnostic significance.