CT cholangiography: multiplanar reconstruction in obstructive jaundice

The value of multiplanar reconstruction (MR) in coronal and sagittal planes from axial transverse computed tomography (CT) slices was investigated in cases of obstructive jaundice. The clinical application for this technique lies in its potential to depict the dilated bile duct to the point of obstruction providing a "map" of the biliary tree. We call the technique "CT cholangiography." The images obtained were of good quality in 77.5% of the cases. Coronal planes proved better than sagittal in demonstrating the bile duct. Furthermore, MR added information concerning the cause of obstruction in 27% of the cases. Improvements in technique will refine the method and likely eliminate the need for invasive cholangiography in many cases of obstructive jaundice.