Magnetic resonance imaging “plays” a major role in the diagnostics of the biliary hypertension. Objective: optimization radiodiagnostics of biliary hypertension using magnetic resonance imaging. Materials and methods. The article presents the results of radiodiagnostics 144 patients with biliary dilatation due to the obstruction of the distal part of the common bile duct. To optimize the use of techniques and methods of radiation diagnosis identified two groups to optimize the diagnostics: In 95 causes biliary dilatation was as a result of the benign disease and in 49 causes - malignant disease. Volume of inspection of patients: MRI, US performed in all patients, EUS, ERCP, Ct performed in smaller quantities. Results. Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography, in 51.6% of cases complete with the traditional protocol MRI study allowed us to determine benign biliary hypertension with a diagnostic accuracy of 96.5%. MRI including contrast enhancement and DWI, allows to diagnose biliary malignant hypertension origin with an accuracy of 97.9%. Endoscopic ultrasonography allows differential diagnosis of choledocholithiasis in patients with benign biliary hypertension, in patients with malignant biliary hypertension allows the differential diagnosis of tumors. Conclusions. MRI let us receive the most complete information about the hepatobiliary system. Its combination with EUS allows to “make” an optimal surgical card and carry out diagnostic and treatment manipulations.