A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF ULTRASONOGRAPHY AND MRCP IN DIAGNOSING OBSTRUCTIVE JAUNDICE

Background: Obstructive jaundice, caused by bile flow obstruction, presents significant clinical challenges. While ultrasonography (USG) is widely used for initial diagnosis, it has limitations in visualizing deep structures like the distal common bile duct and pancreas. Magnetic Resonance Cholangiopancreatography (MRCP), introduced in 1991, offers a non-invasive, radiation-free alternative for detailed visualization of the biliary and pancreatic systems. Aims & Objectives: This study aimed to compare the diagnostic effectiveness of USG and MRCP in identifying the cause of obstructive jaundice. Additionally, the study sought to evaluate the role of both modalities in detecting post-surgical complications, with an emphasis on diagnostic accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity. Methods: A cross-sectional study of 90 patients with suspected obstructive jaundice was conducted at the Department of Radiodiagnosis, Heritage Institute of Medical Sciences, Varanasi, from November 2022 to May 2024. Patients underwent USG followed by MRCP. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 26.0, and the chi-square test was applied to assess statistical significance (p < 0.05). Results: MRCP showed higher diagnostic accuracy (95.56%) and sensitivity (81.82%) compared to USG's detection rate of 65.5% for obstructive pathologies. MRCP identified more cases of bile duct injuries (13.3%) and bile leaks (41.1%). USG, though useful for initial screening, was less effective in detecting complications. Most participants were female (68.89%) and aged 51-60, with yellowish discoloration of the skin as the most common symptom (76.67%). Conclusion: MRCP is superior to USG for diagnosing obstructive jaundice and post-surgical complications, offering greater sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic accuracy. While USG is a costeffective screening tool, MRCP is essential for confirming findings, assessing biliary obstructions, and planning surgery, leading to better patient outcomes.