[Role of biliary MRI in etiological diagnosis of cholestatic icteruses in Dakar].

Biliary MRI is a relatively new diagnostic test in the arsenal of exploration techniques in biliopancreatic pathology. This is a reproducible and reliable non invasive technique for direct visualization of biliary and pancreatic ducts. This study aims to evaluate the morphological features of major abnormalities and the role of biliary MRI in the etiological diagnosis of cholestatic icteruses. This is a retrospective study of 17 patients conducted in the Imaging Unit of the University Hospital of Fann and of the Principal hospital of Dakar over a period of 4 years and six months (January 2008 at July 2012). All patients underwent MRI (1.5T) according to the standardized protocols for the explored pathology. Only medical records of patients whose diagnosis was established based on laboratory tests and who underwent biliary MRI and surgical exploration were retained. The study involved 5 women and 12 men with a sex ratio of 2.4. The average age of patients was 58 years, ranging between 35 and 81 years. Klatskin tumors were found in 7 patients with infiltrative form in 71% of cases and exophytic form was found in 28% of cases. Cancers of the gallbladder were found in 28% of cases. Cancers in the head of the pancreas accounted for 28% of cases. Major bile duct lithiasis was detected in 5 patients, choledocholithiasis in 60% of cases and a single lithiasis in 40% of cases. All these lesions were responsible for an expansion of intrahepatic bile duct (IHBD). One case of intra and extrahepatic bile ducts dilatation was found without biliopancreatic cause. Biliary MRI is the test of choice for the exploration of cholestatic icteruses. It should be recommended as first-line examination when residual lithiasis is suspected and as second-line examination after ultrasound, when the latter shows a suspected bile ducts tumoral obstruction. Its association with CT scan is the best combination of screening tests for etiologic diagnosis and pre-operative assessment of tumoral biliary obstructions.