Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma: the role of imaging in detection and staging

Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma can be divided into two basic categories: hilar and peripheral forms. This distinction has important implications in imaging evaluation, treatment, and prognosis. Cholangiocarcinoma often requires multiple imaging modalities for proper evaluation of potential resectability. In this review, we outline the role of CT, MR, ultrasound, cholangiography, and angiography in the evaluation of cholangiocarcinoma. We also describe newer techniques such as CT angiography, CT cholangiography, MR angiography, and MR cholangiography, and look at the possible future roles of these techniques.