Introduction: Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) is non-invasive MR examination procedure that provides us information about the anatomy and pathology of the biliary tract. The examination is based mainly on T2-weighted pulsed sequences where the signal from the fluids are visible. Alternatives to expensive negative contrast media are beverages over the counter that contains higher concentrations of manganese, such as blueberry juice, pineapple juice and black tea. Purpose: To determine wheter the use of negative contrast media improves the quality of MRCP examination, which of them enables better visualization of pacreato-biliary tract (PBT) area, what are the differences between them and in which areas of PTB are shown the biggest differencies. Methods: The measurements were performed on 20 healthy volunteers. We started with "native" imaging of the PBT area according to the MRCP protocol, used in Splošna bolnišnica Celje. In at least 24 hour intervals, volunteers ingested three different negative contrast agents such as pineapple juice, blueberry juice and black tea. 10 minutes after ingestion of contrast media, the MRCP examinations were repeated. The images were evaluated by two expert radiologist, they were evaluating improvement of visualization in PBT area after consuming contrast media. Results: A comparison between pineapple juice and blueberry juice showed that there was no statistically significant differences between them, but the pineapple juice has an insignificantly higher score compared to all anatomical structures. We found out a statistically significant difference in signal suppresion in the stomach, duodenum, pancreatic duct, common bile duct, and papillae Vateri after ingestion of pineapple and blueberry juice. Statistical analysis showed no significant differences after consumption of black tea. The best visualization, comparing all types of negative contrast agent used is the visibility of the pancreatic and common bile ducts, while the worst visualisation have the Vateri papilla Discussion and conclusion: We found out that pineapple juice and blueberry juice are both equally effective for performing MRCP examination, as they best suppres the signal from the gastrointestinal tract and allow better visualization of the PBT, while black tea has been shown to be an ineffective negative contrast agent. Pineapple and blueberry juice allow better visualization of the common bile duct, hepatic duct, pancreatic duct, and papillae Vateri.
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