Novel Mathematical Diagnostic Analysis of Malignant Biliary Stenosis Using Magnetic Resonance Cholangiography in Patients Undergoing Pancreaticoduodenectomy

Background/Aim: A novel mathematical diagnostic analysis using Fourier transform (FT) algorithm of the extrahepatic bile duct (BD) using magnetic resonance-cholangiography (MRC) was performed to evaluate irregularities of the bile duct lumen indicating BD cancer (BDC) extension compared to pancreatic head malignancies controls. Patients and Methods: BD lumen was automatically traced, and a 2D-diagram cross-section was measured and a FT-based integrated-power-spectral-density-function value (FTV) of both diameter and area (mm2 and mm4/Hz) was calculated for cancerous and non-cancerous parts utilizing a computer workstation. Results: FT analysis that was achieved in 59 patients consisted of BDC in 31, pancreatic cancer with biliary stenosis (PC) in 10 and pancreatic neoplasm without stenosis (PN) in 18. FTV-diameter and -area of non-tumorous proximal BD were larger compared to tumor involving BD (p