MRI cholangiopancreatography (MRI of the pancreas, gallbladder and bile ducts)

Colangiopancreato-RM (RM Páncreas, vesícula y vía biliar)

This non-invasive diagnostic procedure uses an electromagnetic field and radio waves (from a transmitter and receiver) to acquire high-definition anatomical images of the pancreatic drainage ducts (mainly the Wirsung duct), bile ducts and gallbladder. It is a radiation-free procedure. It requires fasting for approximately 6 hours beforehand, as not having eaten anything will allow bile and pancreatic fluids to accumulate, enabling better anatomical definition. In some cases, paramagnetic contrast (gadolinium) is required to characterise the lesions. It is particularly recommended for patients with suspected stones in the bile duct or common bile duct, disease at the junction of the bile and pancreatic ducts, patients with recurrent pancreatitis, abdominal pain likely to be of biliary or pancreatic origin, as a pre-surgical anatomical screening, etc.