Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a test that uses radio frequency pulses and a computer to give detailed pictures of organs, tissues, bone and a lot of other internal body structures. The magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) is a special type of MRI that shows images of the pancreas and the pancreatic duct, the gallbladder, liver and bile ducts.

The MRCP is an outpatient procedure that involes lying very still in a scanner for several minutes at a time. The entire procedure should only take less than 20 minutes. If your child is getting this exam they may need to get some medicine to help them relax so they can be still. You will be told that the child should not eat or drink several hours before the child gets this medicine. After the procedure there is a recovery time so the child can wake up. When the child is awake, you can go home.

Before the procedure is done, make sure the technologist know about any medical or electronic devices that you may have in your body because they can interfere with the exam.