Magnetic resonance and retrograde endoscopic cholangiopancreatography-based identification of biliary tree variants: are there type-related variabilities among the Saudi population?

Purpose: This study investigated biliary tree patterns in a Saudi Arabian population to identify common anatomical variations to establish a common ground for improved surgical practice and to avoid unexpected complications. We consider this type of investigation clinically important because the findings are valuable for pre-surgical planning in a broad range of procedures, including laparoscopic cholecystectomy and liver transplantation.

Methods: We conducted an imaging-based retrospective cross-sectional study involving 150 patients who underwent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography for different indications at King Fahd Hospital of the University between January 2011 and December 2014.