Research papersBenign biliary diseases

•The clinical and laboratory findings are to be considered in the diagnostic work up of biliary diseases.•Imaging has a key role in the diagnosis of benign biliary diseases.•The imaging modality of choice to assess biliary diseases is MR, which allows morphologic and functional assessment.

Benign biliary diseases include a large spectrum of congenital and acquired disorders, which have different prognosis and require different treatment management. The diagnosis may be challenging since some benign disorders may mimic malignancy. Imaging has an important role in the diagnostic process, for treatment decision and planning and in patient follow up. Magnetic resonance (MR) with magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) sequences is the imaging modality of choice for biliary diseases and has demonstrated high diagnostic accuracy. Moreover, the use of a hepato-specific MR contrast agent allows morphological and functional assessment of the liver and the biliary tree improving the diagnostic performance.