MRCP: Stop Already.
Conclusions
MRCP has a high rate of false normal results compared with IOC and is not as accurate as more invasive techniques. There is no need for preoperative MRCP in patients with suspected choledocholithiasis caused by stones.
MRCP (magnetic retrograde cholangiopancreatography) is a costly imaging modality (although one would have no idea how much it costs due to pricing opacity and lack of published data---I spent 30 minutes googling "how much does an MRCP cost" without finding a reliable estimate, try it yourself). I have found it to be one of the most overused studies in modern American medicine. T...
Source: Buckeye Surgeon - March 23, 2013 Category: Surgeons Authors: Jeffrey Parks MD Source Type: blogs
MRCP: Stop Already.
ConclusionsMRCP has a high rate of false normal results compared with IOC and is not as accurate as more invasive techniques. There is no need for preoperative MRCP in patients with suspected choledocholithiasis caused by stones.MRCP (magnetic retrograde cholangiopancreatography) is a costly imaging modality (although one would have no idea how much it costs due to pricing opacity and lack of published data---I spent 30 minutes googling "how much does an MRCP cost" without finding a reliable estimate, try it yourself). I have found it to be one of the most overused studies in modern American medicine. Typica...
Source: Buckeye Surgeon - March 22, 2013 Category: Surgery Authors: Jeffrey Parks MD FACS Source Type: blogs
Dash 22
The consult came in around 3:30 on a Friday. The surgeon wasn't on call but his partner was tied up and he, the surgeon, felt obligated to see the new patient before it got too late. To do otherwise is known as a "dick move" in the world of small private surgical practice. The computer record outlined the picture of a man in his late seventies with an unremarkable medical history. He only took something for gout and various other over the counter vitamins. He took something called Life-X 3000. The consult request was "evaluate for gallbladder disease". The patient had been adm...
Source: Buckeye Surgeon - February 10, 2013 Category: Surgeons Authors: Jeffrey Parks MD Source Type: blogs
