Randomised clinical trial: MRCP‐first vs. ERCP‐first approach in patients with suspected biliary obstruction due to bile duct stones

• Published in: Alimentary pharmacology & therapeutics 2013-11, Vol.38 (9), p.1045-1053
• Main Authors: Bhat, M., Romagnuolo, J., da Silveira, E., Reinhold, C., Valois, E., Martel, M., Barkun, J. S., Barkun, A. N.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Activities of Daily Living; Adult; Aged; Biliary Tract Diseases - diagnosis; Biliary Tract Diseases - etiology; Biliary Tract Diseases - pathology; Biological and medical sciences; Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde - methods; Cholangiopancreatography, Magnetic Resonance - methods; Cholecystectomy - methods; Cholestasis - diagnosis; Cholestasis - etiology; Cholestasis - pathology; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Gallstones - complications; Gastroenterology. Liver. Pancreas. Abdomen; Humans; Length of Stay; Liver. Biliary tract. Portal circulation. Exocrine pancreas; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Other diseases. Semiology; Patient Selection; Quality of Life
• ISSN: 0269-2813; 1365-2036
• DOI: 10.1111/apt.12481

Summary Background The preferred initial investigation with either magnetic resonance (MRCP) or endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in patients with suspected biliary obstruction remains controversial in many clinical settings. Aim To assess the effectiveness of an initial MRCP vs. ERCP in the work‐up of patients at moderate likelihood of a suspected biliary obstruction. Methods Patients with an unconfirmed benign biliary obstruction, based on laboratory and ultrasound findings, were randomised to an ERCP‐first or MRCP‐first strategy, stratified by level of obstruction. The primary outcome was the occurrence of a disease or procedure‐related bilio‐pancreatic adverse events within the next 12 months. Secondary outcomes were the number of subsequent bilio‐pancreatic procedures, duration of hospitalisation, days away from activities of daily living (ADL), quality of life (SF‐36) and mortality. Results We randomised 126 patients to ERCP‐first and 131 to MRCP‐first (age 54 ± 18 years, 62% female, 39% post‐cholecystectomy). In follow‐up, 18/126 (14.3%) ERCP‐first and 25/131 (19.1%) MRCP‐first patients experienced a procedure‐ or disease‐related complication (P = 0.30) (disease‐related in 13 and 18 patients, and procedure‐related in 5 and 7 patients respectively). A cause of biliary obstruction was found in 39.7% vs. 49.6% of patients (P = 0.11). Sixty‐six (50%) patients in the MRCP‐first group ended up avoiding an ERCP in follow‐up. ERCP‐first and MRCP‐first patients were away from usual activities for 3.4 ± 7.7 days and 2.0 ± 4.8 days respectively (P