Magnetic resonance (MR) is a modern diagnostic imaging method which does not use X-ray radiation for producing the image. At present no side-effects of this examination are known which have a negative effect on the patients’health. By suitable setting of parameters of theMRinstrument it is possible to obtain direct „cast“ pictures of the biliary pathways and pancreatic duct - MR cholangiopancreatography (MRCP). Images obtained by this examination resemble those obtained during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). MR examination is however a quite non-invasive method. MRCP does not require any contrast substance for imaging. In the submitted paper the authors demonstrate on 34 child patients their experience with the application of MRCP for examination of the biliary pathways, pancreas and its duct. The examination was made on a MR instrument with a magnetic field of 1.5 Tesla using the standard imaging protocol. In the authors’ opinion indications forMRCP in child patients are suspected restricted patency of a biliodigestive anastomosis, congenital anomaly of the biliary pathways (except atresia), liver disease (primary sclerotizing cholangitis, congenital fibrosis of the liver) which have typical changes of the intrahepatic bile ducts, not specified stenoses or dilatations of the biliary pathways, inflammatory and tumourous diseases of the pancreas, suspected pancreas divisum and posttraumatic complications of the biliary pathways and pancreas. The authors proved a satisfactory information value and universal character of the selected imaging protocol and therefore recommend to include MRCP as the method of choice in the examination algorithm of patients with diseases of the biliary pathways and pancreas.

        Key words: magnetic resonance, MRCP, biliary pathways, pancreatic duct, diagnostic imaging