螺旋CT双期增强扫描在胰腺癌诊断中的价值

目的探讨螺旋CT双期增强扫描在胰腺癌诊断中的价值。方法31例胰腺癌患者均行螺旋CT双期增强扫描,扫描延迟时间分别定为30s(胰腺期)和70s(门脉期),造影剂用量100mL(非离子型),高压注射器团注,速率2.5mL/s～3mL/s。观察并比较肿瘤及正常胰腺在两期的增强情况。根据CT征象对肿瘤可切除性进行评价,并与手术结果比较。结果31例中肿瘤位于胰头颈部19例,钩突部9例,体部3例。发现小胰腺癌3例,直径均小于2cm。肿瘤一胰腺对比胰腺期与门脉期相比有显著性差异(P<0.01)。胰腺期肿瘤增强后呈相对低密度,为特征性CT表现。胰周大血管受侵占不可切除性肿瘤的占62%,胰周小静脉迂曲扩张占32%,肝脏、淋巴结转移灶占38%。结论螺旋CT双期增强扫描对胰腺癌的诊断及可切除性评价具有非常重要的临床价值。     

螺旋CT双期增强扫描对胰腺癌的诊断价值

目的评价螺旋CT双期增强扫描在小胰腺癌诊断中的价值。方法螺旋CT对21例(≤2cm)的胰腺癌先平扫,再以3ml/s速度高压团注对比剂100ml,分别行动脉期(注射后20~25s)和实质期(注射后50~60s)扫描,测量各扫描期肿瘤和正常胰腺组织的CT值。结果肿瘤的平均CT值在动脉期(42±14)HU,实质期(48±18)HU,正常胰腺组织的平均CT值动脉期(105±15)HU,实质期(86±11)HU。肿瘤-胰腺密度差为动脉期(69±15)HU,实质期(38±21)HU,动脉期时二者之间有显著差别(P<0.01)。结论动脉期时可获得肿瘤-胰腺密度最大差值,有利于胰腺癌的早期诊断和可切除性的判断。     

螺旋CT双期扫描在胰腺肿瘤中的应用价值

目的评价螺旋CT双期增强扫描在胰腺肿瘤中的应用价值。方法收集41例胰腺肿瘤(36例胰腺癌、5例胰岛素瘤)病例,均作了螺旋CT平扫、动脉期、门脉期双期增强扫描。测定各期瘤灶与正常胰腺组织CT值,并计算两者差值。结果平扫、动脉期、门脉期的肿瘤灶与正常胰腺组织的CT差值分别为(6.7±4.3)HU,(31.6±14.3)HU,(4.9±3.8)HU。两者差值在动脉期与平扫、门脉期均有极显著统计学差异(t值分别为11.4,10.5,P均<0.001),平扫与门脉期无统计学差异(P>0.05)。结论螺旋CT动脉期、门脉期双期增强扫描在胰腺肿瘤诊断及鉴别诊断和小瘤灶的检出中具有重要价值。     

螺旋CT在胰腺癌诊断中的价值及临床应用

目的：探讨螺旋CT在胰腺癌中的诊断价值及临床应用。方法：回顾性分析了48例胰腺癌患者螺旋CT图像，扫描时间为注射对比剂后40－55s和60s左右，并依照正常胰腺组织和肿瘤在平扫和两期的增强情况、CT征象行术前评估，再与手术结果对照。结果：胰腺－肿瘤增强密度差异值平均分别为胰腺期49.10HU、门静脉期27.0HU，两期差异有显著意义（t=2.543、P＜0.01)。肿块在胰腺期能够清晰显示。25例术前认为可切除的肿瘤，术中仍有7例不能切除。结论：螺旋CT双期扫描能够明显提高胰腺癌的诊断准确率并为临床提供有价值的术前评估。     

螺旋CT双期增强扫描诊断胰腺癌的价值

目的探讨螺旋CT双期增强扫描诊断胰腺癌的价值.材料和方法27例胰腺癌患者行螺旋CT双期增强扫描,动脉期(AP)延迟25s,门静脉期(PVP)延迟65s,以3～4ml/s团注造影剂80～100ml.测量肿瘤和正常胰腺组织的CT值,计算肿瘤-胰腺密度差,对胰周血管观察评价.结果肿瘤的平均CT值AP和PVP是51±8Hu、74±10Hu,正常胰腺的CT值AP和PVP是123±19Hu、100±10Hu,肿瘤-胰腺密度差AP和PVP是71±20Hu、25±12Hu,二者差异明显(P<0.01).胰周动脉侵犯在AP显示好,静脉侵犯在PVP显示好.结论AP可获得最大的肿瘤-胰腺密度差,AP结合PVP对胰周血管侵犯的评价更全面准确.     

多层螺旋CT三期增强扫描对胰腺癌诊断价值

目的：评价多层螺旋CT多期增强扫描对胰腺癌的诊断价值。方法：48例胰腺癌患者行多层螺旋CT多期扫描，先作平扫，再以3ml/s的速度通过肘静脉团注对比剂(碘海醇)90～100ml，分别行动脉期(注射后25～25s)，门脉期(70～85s)及平衡期(180～200s)扫描，层厚5mm。分别观察平扫及增强各期正常胰腺的形态、密度的变化，胰腺癌的形态、密度的变化以及转移瘤的发现率。结果：多层螺旋CT扫描速度快，检查时间短，密度分辨率高，可在一次屏气下完成腹部的CT扫描。正常胰腺血供丰富，增强时动脉期、门脉期强化很明显，而胰腺癌为相对乏血管，增强时动脉期、门脉期强化不明显，呈低密度区，动脉期扫描正常胰腺和癌肿的密度差异较大，门脉期及平衡期可兼顾显示胰腺癌及胰外转移瘤。结论：胰腺癌的多层螺旋CT检查应以三期增强扫描作为常规，动脉期对胰腺癌特别是小胰腺癌的诊断有重要的价值。     

对比剂注射剂量和流率对胰腺CT增强的影响

目的　评价对比剂不同注射剂量和流率对胰腺CT增强的影响。资料与方法　 5 0例患者按不同剂量和注射流率随机分成 5组 ,Ⅰ组 (1.5ml/kg、3ml/s) ,Ⅱ组 (1.5ml/kg、2 .5ml/s) ,Ⅲ组 (1ml/kg、3ml/s) ,Ⅳ组 (1ml/kg、2 .5ml/s) ,Ⅴ组 (固定剂量 75ml、2 .5ml/s) ,每组各 10例 ,分别行胰腺薄层双期扫描 ,实质期和门脉期的延迟时间分别为 40s、70s。分别测量平均胰腺CT增强值并作比较。结果　实质期平均胰腺CT增强值 ,Ⅰ组为 71.0 5± 9.6 4HU ,Ⅱ组为 6 4.0 4± 9.6 1HU ,Ⅲ组为 45 .16± 7.98HU ,Ⅳ组为 44 .16± 11.2 7HU ,Ⅴ组为 5 0 .2 0± 13.5 9HU。Ⅰ与Ⅲ组相比(P <0 .0 5 ) ,Ⅱ组与Ⅳ组相比 (P <0 .0 5 ) ,Ⅱ组与Ⅴ组相比 (P <0 .0 5 )有明显差异。Ⅰ与Ⅱ、Ⅲ与Ⅳ、Ⅳ与Ⅴ组相比无明显差异。结论　高剂量可提高胰腺增强效果 ,1.5ml/kg注射剂量 ,2 .5～ 3ml/s注射流率是比较合适的注射参数。     

胰腺癌:多排螺旋CT三期增强及曲面重建的评价

目的探讨多排螺旋CT三期扫描及曲面重建对胰腺癌显示与胰周血管侵犯评价的价值。方法对54例临床怀疑胰腺癌患者采用多排螺旋CT行薄层三期动态增强扫描,其中经手术或临床随访证实23例胰腺癌入选本研究,并采用胰腺期图像沿胰胆管以及胰周主要血管行曲面重建,分析肿瘤在三期图像上显示以及胰周血管受累情况。结果肿瘤于胰腺期图像上与胰腺实质密度差异最大,肿瘤-胰腺CT值差于动脉期、胰腺期及门脉期,分别为28.02±11.13,35.67±11.60和24.52±13.13,胰腺期高于动脉期和门脉期(p<0.01),而动脉期与门脉期差别无统计学意义(p>0.05)。曲面重建能直接显示肿瘤与周围解剖结构的关系以及血管受侵的情况。结合横断位图像,曲面重建共检出64条血管受侵,对6例手术患者血管无受累作出正确评价。结论多排螺旋CT动态增强胰腺期有利于肿瘤显示和胰周血管侵犯的评价。曲面重建可以直观显示肿瘤与周围结构的关系及血管受侵情况,并且能加强与临床医生间的信息传递。     

胰腺癌:Mn-DPDP与Gd-DTPA增强MRI的比较研究

目的 :比较Mn -DPDP增强与Gd -DTPA动态增强对胰腺癌的显示及可切除性评价的价值。材料和方法 :22例拟手术的胰腺癌患者进入本研究 ,行常规平扫及Gd -DTPA动态增强 ,次日经肘静脉滴注Mn -DPDP(0.5ml/kg) ,于给药结束后30min以及24h行SET1W及SPGRT1W扫描。测量肿瘤、正常胰腺以及噪声信号强度。由两位医生独立阅读平扫、Mn -DPDP增强及Gd -DTPA动态增强三组图像 ,19例手术患者读片结果与手术资料比较 ,采用ROC分析评价三者的诊断效率。结果 :胰腺 -肿瘤CNR于给药结束后30min高于平扫(p<0.05)。Mn -DPDP增强给药结束后30min扫描SPGRT1W图像胰腺 -肿瘤CNR(15.49±.13)略低于Gd -DTPA动态增强动脉期的20.05±9.05 ,但两者间差异无统计学意义(p>0.05) ;高于门脉期的7.46±14.25和延迟期的2.16±15.38(p<0.05)。平扫、Mn -DPDP增强及Gd -DTPA动态增强对胰腺癌可切除性评价准确性分别为47.9 %～57.9 %、78.9 %～84.2 %和84.2 %～89.5 %。ROC分析表明 :Mn -DPDP增强对胰腺癌可切除性评价帮助不大。结论 :Mn -DPDP增强能增加胰腺 -肿瘤CNR ,与Gd -DTPA动态增强动脉期相似 ,可以提高诊断可信度 ;对胰腺癌可切除性评价价值不大     

螺旋CT多期扫描技术诊断胰腺癌的价值及临床意义

目的:研究螺旋CT多期扫描技术在胰腺癌中的诊断价值及其临床意义。方法:68例胰腺癌患者行螺旋CT多期扫描,扫描时间为注射造影剂后18~25s、40~45s和60s左右,比较正常胰腺组织和肿瘤在平扫和三期的增强变化。依照CT征象诊断胰腺癌并行术前评估,并与手术结果比较。结果:正常胰腺组织在胰腺期的增强值明显高于其它两期(F=12.32,P<0.01);胰腺-病灶增强值胰腺期高于其它两期(F=15.11,P<0.01),肿块在胰腺期能够清晰显示。胰周血管在胰腺期显示满意,诸动脉在动脉期、胰腺期与门静脉期相比,有显著性差异(P<0.01);诸静脉在胰腺期、门静脉期与动脉期相比有显著性差异(P<0.01)。42例不可切除的肿瘤中,血管受侵者24例(57%),其中胰周小静脉扩张者19例(45%)。33例术前认为可切除的肿瘤,术中仍有7例不可切除。结论:螺旋CT三期扫描诊断胰腺癌,胰腺期和门静脉期应作为首选方案,它具有非常重要的临床意义。     

螺旋CT双期增强扫描对胰腺实性假乳头状瘤的诊断价值

目的：评价多层螺旋CT双期增强在胰腺实性假乳头状瘤诊断中的价值。方法：多层螺旋CT对8例胰腺实性假乳头状瘤先平扫,再以3ml/s速度高压团注碘海醇（300mg I/ml）80～100ml,分别行动脉期（注药后30～35s）和实质期（注药后60～70s）扫描,测量各期肿瘤的CT值。结果：肿瘤平扫CT值为（41.09±6.38）HU,动脉期为（43.82±10.35）HU,实质期为（48.91±9.93）HU。肿瘤动脉期与实质期强化有显著差异（P〈0.01）。结论：胰腺实性假乳头状瘤在实质期强化显著高于动脉期,为该病特征性的CT表现,螺旋CT双期增强对胰腺实性假乳头状瘤的诊断及鉴别诊断具有临床价值。     

Dual-phase helical CT of pancreatic adenocarcinoma: assessment of resectability before surgery

OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study was to prospectively evaluate the accuracy of dual-phase helical CT in the preoperative assessment of resectability in patients with suspected pancreatic cancer using surgical and histopathologic correlation. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Between January 1999 and December 2000, 76 patients with suspected pancreatic cancer underwent preoperative evaluation and staging with dual-phase helical CT (3-mm collimation for pancreatic phase, 5-mm collimation for portal phase). Iodinated contrast material was injected IV (170 mL at a rate of 4 mL/sec); acquisition began at 40 sec during the pancreatic phase and at 70 sec during the portal phase. Three radiologists prospectively evaluated the imaging findings to determine the presence of pancreatic tumor and signs of unresectability (liver metastasis, vascular encasement, or regional lymph nodes metastasis). The degree of tumor-vessel contiguity was recorded for each patient (no contiguity with tumor, contiguity of < 50%, or contiguity of > or =50%). RESULTS: Thirty-nine patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma were surgically explored. Curative resections were attempted in 34 patients and were successful in 25. The positive predictive value for resectability was 73.5%. Nine patients considered resectable on the basis of CT findings were found to be unresectable at surgery because of liver metastasis (n = 5), vascular encasement (n = 2), or lymph node metastasis (n = 2). We found that the overall accuracy of helical CT as a tool for determining whether a pancreatic adenocarcinoma was resectable was 77% (30/39 patients). CONCLUSION: Dual-phase helical CT is a useful technique for preoperative staging of pancreatic cancer. The main limitation of CT is that it may not reveal small hepatic metastases.     

Dual-phase versus single-phase helical CT to detect and assess resectability of pancreatic carcinoma

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare dual-phase and single-phase helical CT for the detection and assessment of resectability of pancreatic adenocarcinoma. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We studied 60 patients (31 men, 29 women; age range, 31-84 years; mean age, 62 years) with suspected pancreatic malignancy. Patients were randomly assigned to one of two groups. For group A (n = 30), unenhanced scans through the liver and pancreas were followed by two separate acquisitions (dual-phase) at 20-25 and at 60-80 sec after IV contrast administration. For group B (n = 30), unenhanced scans were followed by one set of scans (single-phase) acquired caudocranially (from the inferior hepatic margin to the diaphragm) starting 50 sec after IV contrast administration. Two observers independently scored images for the presence of tumor and for assessment of tumor resectability. RESULTS: Comparison of dual-phase versus single-phase helical CT for tumor detection showed a diagnostic accuracy for observer 1 of 87% and 90%, respectively, and for observer 2, of 90% and 87%, respectively. For both helical CT techniques, the overall agreement between the two observers was 83% (kappa = 0.73 +/- 0.03) for single-phase helical CT and 90% (kappa = 0.89 +/- 0.03) for dual-phase helical CT. The assessment of resectability was affected by the low number of resectable tumors (n = 8). CONCLUSION: Single-phase helical CT is effective for the diagnosis and assessment of resectability of patients with suspected pancreatic carcinoma. Advantages are the lower radiation dose and fewer images to film and store.     

胰腺癌的可切除性评价(经动脉双期螺旋CT与血管造影的对比分析)

分别采用经动脉双期螺旋ＣＴ扫描和选择性血管造影,对胰腺癌的可切除性进行术前前瞻性评价,以确定各自的临床应用价值。方法对１５例胰腺癌术前均行选择性造影及经动脉增强双期螺旋ＣＴ扫描,对胰腺癌的临床应用价值。结论经动脉双期螺旋ＣＴ扫描弥补了血管造影的不足,能够更为准确,全面地评价胰腺癌的可切除术,具有较高的临床应用价值。     

Secretin-assisted CT of the pancreas: improved pancreatic enhancement and tumour conspicuity

PURPOSE: The primary aim of this prospective pilot study was to determine if the administration of intravenous secretin prior to contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) improves pancreatic enhancement and pancreatic tumor conspicuity. The second aim was to determine the optimal timing for secretin administration prior to contrast-enhanced CT. METHODS: Local ethics committee approval was obtained. 35 patients (18 men, 17 women; mean age, 67.6 years; age range; 25 to 86 years) with known or suspected pancreatic malignancy or an abdominal malignancy underwent a helical CT of the pancreas. The pancreas was first localised on an unenhanced scan using 10mm sections. Following 120 ml of intravenous 300 mg/ml of non ionic contrast medium (CM), injected at a rate of 5 ml/s, images of the pancreas (3mm slice thickness) and liver (8mm slice thickness) were obtained at 40 and 70 seconds respectively. A second CT was obtained 1-5 days after the first one using the same CT and intravenous contrast medium injection parameters. However 100 IU of secretin was given as an intravenous bolus between 0 and 5 min prior to intravenous contrast medium administration. Each patient acted as their own control. The attenuation in Hounsfield Units (HU) was recorded on non-contrast, pancreatic phase and portal venous phases for both secretin and non-secretin CTs, in the pancreas and pancreatic tumors (where present). Tumor conspicuity was calculated (in the 19 patients with pancreatic adenocarcinomas) by subtracting pancreatic tumor attenuation from pancreatic attenuation. Statistical evaluation comparing pre and post secretin enhancement was performed using matched paired t-tests. RESULTS: A significant increase in pancreatic enhancement was observed when secretin was injected at 2 to 3 min before contrast material injection (the increase in pancreatic density following secretin at 2 min was 31.5+/-10 HU (29.2%) (p=.035); and at 3 min was 23.2+/-7.8 HU (22.7%) (p=.041). Pancreatic tumor conspicuity in the pancreatic phase was most marked when secretin was injected between 2 to 4 min before contrast medium, with 4 min showing a statistically significant increase in tumor conspicuity, 48.2+/-14.2 HU (p=.04). CONCLUSION: Imaging in the pancreatic phase 2 to 4 min after administration of intravenous secretin leads to greater enhancement of the pancreas with greater tumor conspicuity, than imaging without secretin.     

Dynamic contrast-enhanced MR imaging and dual-phase helical CT in the preoperative assessment of suspected pancreatic cancer: a comparative study with receiver operating characteristic analysis.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to compare dynamic contrast-enhanced MR imaging and dual-phase helical CT in the preoperative assessment of patients with suspected pancreatic carcinoma. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Thirty-three consecutive surgical candidates (20 men, 13 women; 39-81 years old) were included. MR imaging comprised fast spin-echo (TR/TE 4000/91), fat-suppressed T1-weighted spin-echo (500/15), and T1-weighted breath-hold gradient-echo fast low-angle shot (100/4; flip angle, 80 degrees) images before and after the administration of gadopentetate dimeglumine. Helical CT used 5-mm collimation with a pitch of 1:1.5-1.7; images were obtained 20 and 65-70 sec after injection of 150 ml of contrast material. Two pairs of interpreters who were unaware of the results of the other imaging method independently scored each examination for the presence of a lesion and for surgical resectability using a five-point scale. Results were correlated with surgery (n = 25) or consensus review (n = 8). Receiver operating characteristic methodology was used to analyze the results for resectability, and positive predictive values were calculated. RESULTS: Both MR imaging and helical CT revealed 29 of 31 lesions. In determining lesion resectability, the mean areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves were 0.96 and 0.81 (p = .01) and the positive predictive values were 86.5% and 76% (p = .02) for MR imaging and helical CT, respectively. CONCLUSION: MR imaging and helical CT performed equally well in lesion detection. MR imaging was significantly better in the assessment of resectability of pancreatic tumors.     

对比剂不同流率对门静脉CT血管成像质量的影响

目的 探讨对比剂不同注射流率对多层螺旋CT肝门静脉成像质量的影响.方法 30例患者随机分为3组,每组10例,年龄与体重无明显差异,行腹部CT增强扫描.按1.5 ml/kg剂量前臂静脉注射浓度为300 mg Ⅰ/ml的非离子型对比剂,注射流率分别为2.0 ml/s、3.0 ml/s和4.0 ml/s.腹主动脉兴趣区智能跟踪技术触发动脉期扫描,动脉期后延迟7 s与20 s行门静脉期扫描.在工作站测量3组CT源图像上门静脉(PV)与肝实质的CT值,并重组PV斜轴位与冠状位最大密度投影(MIP)图像,观察PV显示的分支级别.采用SPSS 11.5软件行统计学分析.结果 2.0 ml/s组、3.0 ml/s组、4.0 ml/s组门静脉CT值分别为(150.80±21.16)HU、(170.90±17.26)HU与(181.90±22.88)HU,2.0 ml/s组与4.0 ml/s组间有明显差别(P=0.017).2.0 ml/s组、3.0 ml/s组、4.0 ml/s组PV与肝实质CT值差别分别是(50.20±17.40)HU、(67.10±23.08)HU与(76.20±22.75)HU,2.0 ml/s组与4.0 ml/s组间有明显差别(P=0.039).2.0 ml/s组、3.0 ml/s组、4.0ml/s组对PV分支显示级别分别为4.20±1.14、4.90±0.99及5.50±0.53,2.0 ml/s组与4.0 ml/s组间有明显差别(P=0.013).结论 注射流率对PV CT血管成像的质量有影响,流率为4.0 ml/s时SCTP质量最佳.     

CT能谱成像在胰腺癌病灶显示中的应用价值

目的 评估CT能谱成像在胰腺癌病灶显示中的价值.方法 选取本院行CT能谱检查,且病理证实为胰腺导管腺癌的113例患者.CT扫描期相分平扫、动脉晚期(AP)、门脉期(PP);增强采用能谱扫描(GSI)模式.将感兴趣区(ROI)分别放置于病灶和胰腺实质处,重复测量3次,求得3次的平均值,计算病灶及胰腺实质AP和PP 40~140 keV的单能量CT值(CTmono值)、归一化CTmono值(以胰腺实质为标准)、对比噪声比(CNR)值及最佳单能量keV值,比较胰腺癌与胰腺组织间的差异,并将最佳单能量与70 keV单能量(相当于常规CT 120 kVp能量水平)进行比较.统计方法为配对t检验和符号秩和检验.结果 胰腺导管腺癌在AP及PP的最佳单能量为40 keV,AP和PP的最佳CNR平均值为2.31±1.02和2.38±1.02,70 keV CNR值为2.08±0.98和2.12±0.96,2期最佳CNR值均高于70 keV的CNR值.胰腺癌在70 keV时AP和PP的CTmono值分别为(58±13) HU和(71±19) HU,PP高于AP,40 keV 时AP和PP的CTmono值分别为(111±44) HU和(155±57) HU;胰腺癌在40 keV 时AP和 PP的归一化CTmono值的中位数分别为47.0%和53.9%,70 keV时分别为57.7%和61.8%,40 keV归一化CTmono值低于70 keV,有显著性差异.结论 CT能谱成像显示胰腺癌为相对乏血供、进行性强化的病灶;最佳单能量成像能够提高胰腺癌病灶的显示效果.     

螺旋CT双期增强对胰腺癌病人的术前评估

目的 探讨螺旋CT双期增强对胰腺癌可切除性术前评估的价值。方法 对1999年5月～2003年3月期问行螺旋CT双期增强扫的45例诊断为胰腺癌病人的CT图像与22例手术结果进行对比研究，通过显示胰腺癌的部位、大小以及肿块对周围血管侵犯程度、远处器官转移以及后腹膜淋巴结转移，作出能否切除的术前评价。结果 45例胰腺癌病人中18例位于胰头，16例位于胰体尾，11例位于胰尾；27例患接受手术治疗，其中22例术前SCT认为肿瘤可切除，实际成功切除17例，成功切除的阳性预测值达77％，其他5例SCT认为肿瘤不能切除，实际手术均不能切除。结论 螺旋CT双期增强扫描可作为一种评价胰腺癌术前能否手术切除的有效方法。     

Multi--detector row helical CT of the pancreas: effect of contrast-enhanced multiphasic imaging on enhancement of the pancreas, peripancreatic vasculature, and pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

PURPOSE: To determine the optimal phase for enhancement of the normal pancreas and peripancreatic vasculature and the maximal tumor-to-pancreatic parenchymal enhancement difference by using multiphase, contrast material-enhanced, multi-detector row helical computed tomography (CT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-nine patients with a normal-appearing pancreas but suspected of having pancreatic abnormality and 28 patients with proved pancreatic adenocarcinoma underwent multiphase, contrast-enhanced, multi-detector row CT during the arterial phase (AP), pancreatic parenchymal phase (PPP), and portal venous phase (PVP). Attenuation values of the normal pancreas, pancreatic adenocarcinoma, celiac and superior mesenteric arteries, and superior mesenteric and portal veins were measured during all three imaging phases. Quantitative analysis of these measurements and subjective qualitative analysis of tumor conspicuity were performed. RESULTS: Maximal enhancement of the normal pancreatic parenchyma occurred during the PPP. Maximal tumor-to-parenchyma attenuation differences during the PPP and PVP were equivalent but greater than that during the AP. Subjective analysis revealed that tumor conspicuity during the PPP and PVP was equivalent but superior to that during the AP. Maximal arterial enhancement was seen during the PPP, and maximal venous enhancement was seen during the PVP. CONCLUSION: A combination of PPP and PVP imaging is sufficient for detection of pancreatic adenocarcinoma, because it provides maximal pancreatic parenchymal and peripancreatic vascular enhancement. AP imaging can be reserved for patients in whom CT angiography is required.