This report summarises MSAC's assessment of the current evidence for magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) as a diagnostic test in patients with a differential diagnosis of pancreaticobiliary disease. It addresses three specific research questions:

1. What is the value of MRCP versus endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) to exclude or diagnose stones of the common bile duct (CBD) in patients where one of the differential diagnoses is biliary obstruction and conventional assessment including clinical history and examination, laboratory testing and abdominal ultrasound imaging are insufficient to plan management? Subgroup analysis: in patients with a low to intermediate probability of stones.

2. What is the value of MRCP versus computerised tomography (CT) intravenous cholangiography to exclude or diagnose CBD stones in non-jaundiced patients where one of the differential diagnoses is biliary obstruction and conventional assessment including clinical history and examination, laboratory testing and abdominal ultrasound imaging are insufficient to plan management?

3. What is the value of MRCP versus ERCP in the diagnosis and/or treatment planning of the jaundiced patient with suspected bile duct obstruction where conventional assessment including clinical examination, laboratory testing and abdominal ultrasound imaging with or without CT of the abdomen is insufficient to determine level or cause of obstruction or to plan management?