Current status of multi-detector row helical CT in imaging of adult acquired pancreatic diseases and assessing surgical neoplastic resectability

Abstract

Background: It is usually hard to detect pancreatic lesions early as the pancreas lays retro peritoneum so it cannot be assessed during a routine physical exam. By the time a person has symptoms, the disease has already established morphological imaging CT changes.
Objective: The objective of our study was to clarify the role of multidetector computerized tomography (MDCT) in different adult acquired pancreatic diseases and assess the efficacy of surgical pancreatic tumors resectability preoperative.
Materials & methods: The study included thirty adult patients suspected to have pancreatic diseases (18 males and 12 females); their age range was 45–90 years with a mean age of 68 years. All patients underwent triple-phase multi-detector row CT using a 16-slice machine. The presence of inflammation, masses, and vascular invasion was evaluated and interpreted images were obtained during each phase. Results were compared with surgery, histopathology or follow-up.
Results: Of 30 patients, 15 had pancreatic malignancies (14 adenocarcinoma of which 6 were resectable and 8 were irresectable, 1 distant metastasis) proven at biopsy and/or surgery, 11 patients had pancreatitis (acute and chronic), three patients had cystic benign tumors (2 mucinous cystadenoma, 1 serous cystadenoma), and one patient had neuroendocrine tumor (insulinoma).
Conclusion: Contrast enhanced multiphase pancreatic imaging by MDCT with its post processing techniques represents the imaging modality of choice for the diagnosis of different adult acquired pancreatic diseases.