Magnetic resonance imaging of extrahepatic bile duct disruption.

Abstract

Blunt injury of the extrahepatic bile duct is rare and hence a large series of scientific study of its MRI is difficult to perform. We present the MRI and MR cholangiography of a case of blunt extrahepatic bile duct injury proven at surgery. The diagnosis could be established based on MRI findings of an abrupt tapering of the extrahepatic bile duct with a retracted end, a discordant small-caliber proximal duct, massive ascites, and a hematoma in proximity to the bile duct injury. This non-invasive MRI study is a promising imaging modality to evaluate biliary tract injury.