Application of imaging techniques in pancreaticobiliary maljunction

Abstract

Imaging techniques are useful tools in the diagnosis and treatment of pancreaticobiliary maljunction (PBM). PBM is a precancerous lesion often relative to the disease of the pancreas and biliary tract, for example, cholecystolithiasis, protein plugs, and pancreatitis. For patients with PBM, early diagnosis and timely treatment are highly important, which is largely dependent on imaging techniques. The continuous development of imaging techniques, including endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography, computed tomography, ultrasound, and intraoperative cholangiography, has provided appropriate diagnostic and therapeutic tools for PBM. Imaging techniques, including non-invasive and invasive, have distinct advantages and disadvantages. The purpose of this paper is to review the application of various imaging techniques in the diagnosis and treatment of PBM.

EUS of the gallbladder

“…The middle layer is hypoechoic and consists of the mucosa, the muscularis propria, and the fibrous layer of the subserosa. The outer layer is hyperechoic, consisting of the adipose portion of the subserosal layer and serosa (Figure 1) [7][8][9]. A normal gallbladder wall is less than 4 mm in thickness.…”