does it correlate with the formation of common bile duct stones?
GROUND: This study aimed to evaluate the accuracy of magnetic resonance cholangiography (MRC) in detecting variants of low cystic duct conjunction, which can be a source of confusion during surgery when unrecognized. METHODS: All cases with both MRC and endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (ERC) indicating suspected common bile duct stones between January 1999 and January 2004 were retrospectively reviewed by investigators blinded to the final diagnosis. Assessment with ERC was regarded as the gold standard. The aim was to find a low conjunction of the cystic duct with the bile duct. The sensitivity and specificity of MRC were calculated in comparison with those for ERC. The cystic junction radial orientation was defined as lateral (insertion diagonally from the right), medial (insertion into the left side of the common hepatic duct), or posteroanterior (overlap of the junction with the bile duct in the posteroanterior view). A spiral cystic duct and a long parallel course were evalua
