What exactly is an MRCP test? What are they looking for?

1 Answer
Dec 19, 2016

An MRCP test is a specialized MRI scan of your liver, bile ducts, gallbladder and pancreas.

Explanation:

MRCP (#bb"M"#agnetic #bb"R"#esonance #bb"C"#holangio#bb"P"#ancreatography) uses a strong magnetic field and radio waves to create pictures of your biliary system.

Cholangio = bile vessel
Pancreato = pancreas
Graphy = imaging

Biliary System
(From www.histocutup.co.uk)

Sometimes you may receive an injection of "'contrast", a substance that enhances the MRI picture.

MRCP is used for:

  • Checking your liver, bile ducts, gallbladder and pancreas for stones, tumours, infection, or inflammation and
  • Investigating unexplained abdominal pain