hepatic and biliary disorders
Imaging Tests of the Liver and Gallbladder
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
MRI is used to image blood vessels (without using contrast), ducts, and hepatic tissues. MRI is superior to CT and ultrasonography for diagnosing diffuse liver disorders (eg, Metabolic Dysfunction–Associated Liver Disease (MASLD) , is more sensitive than CT or ultrasonography in diagnosing common bile duct abnormalities, particularly stones. Its images of the biliary system and pancreatic ducts are comparable to those obtained with Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) (ERCP) and percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography, which are more invasive. Thus, MRCP is a useful screening tool when biliary obstruction is suspected and before therapeutic ERCP (eg, for simultaneous imaging and stone removal) is done and has largely supplanted the use of HIDA (hydroxy or diisopropyl iminodiacetic acid) scans. MRCP is the screening test of choice for 