[Biliary obstruction: MR-cholangiography with a rapid gradient-echo sequence (2D CE-Fast)].

Magnetic resonance (MR) was used to delineate the biliary tree in patients with obstructive jaundice originating from various types of malignant or benign processes at different locations. With the aid of a rapid sequential gradient-echo acquisition (CE-Fast) and 3D post-processing, heavily T2-weighted images could be obtained to identify the site of obstruction in ten out of eleven patients. Slices were acquired during breath-holding periods of about 12 sec with a total examination time of 10-15 min. The three-dimensional display reliably demonstrated the dilated bile ducts in pre-stenotic areas whereas in the majority of cases post-stenotic ductal segments could not be visualised.