Radiologic diagnosis and staging of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma

IBD CT is the single best modality for diagnosis and staging of patients with suspected pancreatic carcinoma. While carefully performed real-time US is an excellent technique for determining the level and etiology of bile duct obstruction, it is of more limited value for diagnosis of tumors in the body and tail of the gland, and is less accurate than IBD CT for assessment of tumor resectability. Thus, most patients require IBD CT for accurate, nonoperative staging. ERCP and angiography continue to be useful adjunctive procedures for evaluation of patients with suspected pancreatic carcinoma, particularly for evaluation of equivocal CT or US findings. An isolated pancreatic mass, that is, a mass with no ancillary CT or US findings of carcinoma (local extension, distant metastases), is a non-specific finding and requires further evaluation with either ERCP or angiography, and perhaps most importantly, with FNAB. Other neoplasms may mimic pancreatic ductal carcinoma, particularly islet cell carcinoma and lymphoma. Pancreatitis also can result in a focal pancreatic mass, simulating a neoplasm. These diseases usually respond to therapy and thus it is essential to confirm the radiologic diagnosis of pancreatic carcinoma with biopsy, particularly if surgery is not planned or if chemoradiation therapy is anticipated.     

胰腺癌的恶性度和其瘤体CT强化程度的对照分析

目的评价胰腺癌CT强化程度和其恶性度的关系。资料与方法选择经手术切除有病理大标本的胰腺癌患者49例,手术前均行CT增强扫描,观察胰腺癌胰实质期强化程度和形式,并对胰腺癌的手术标本行HE染色．检测胰腺癌组织学病理级别。对胰腺癌的CT强化状况和病理级别作对照分析。结果胰腺高分化腺癌20例．中等分化腺癌13例,低分化腺癌16例。cT呈等密度强化者18例,呈稍低密度强化者16例,呈稍低密度强化伴小囊性变者13例,呈稍低密度伴大片状低密度灶者6例。胰腺癌的病理亚型和瘤体CT胰腺实质期强化程度、形式的Spearman秩相关检验结果为r=0．8527．t=8．2816,P〈0．001。结论胰腺癌的CT胰腺实质期强化状况和病理亚型有高度显著相关性,即胰腺癌恶性度和CT增强程度高低成反比。     

内镜逆行胰胆管造影诊断胰腺癌：附119例分析

笔者通过ＥＲＣＰ（内镜逆行胰胆管造影）检查的１１９例胰腺癌分析．详述了胰腺癌的ＥＲＣＰ表现，提出了ＥＲＣＰ诊断胰腺癌的六型分类法，即：（１）主胰管闭塞型；（２）主胰管狭窄型；（３）主胰管筛孔状破坏型；（４）主胰管受压移位型；（５）胆管梗阻型；（６）主胰管正常型，本组ＥＲＣＰ插管成功率为９３．３％，诊断胰腺癌的敏感性和准确性分别为８９．７％和９４．６％，比同组Ｂ超和ＣＴ高。作者认为，ＥＫＣＰ应作为胰腺癌术前诊断的主导方法。但是，若将Ｂ超、ＥＲＣＰ和ＣＴ合理地结合，术前诊断正确率可进一步提高（本组提高到了１００％）。     

ERCP、CT、B超对胰胆管下段疾病的诊断准确性

目的 比较ERCP、CT、B超对胰胆管下段疾病的诊断准确性。方法 100例临床表现为梗阻性黄疸，反复上腹痛、恶心呕吐的患均经ERCP、CT及B超检查本组患经手术病理或活检证实为良性病变(胆总管结石)57例，恶性肿瘤31例，其中胆总管癌11例，胰头癌13例，以及壶腹癌8例。上述3种方法术前的定性诊断准确率均与手术病理结果对照。结果 对胆总管结石的定性诊断准确率：ERCP为98％(n=56)，CT为72％(n=41)，B超为61％(n=35)；对恶性肿瘤的定性诊断准确率：ERCP为97％(n=31)，CT为78％(n=25)，B超为63％(n=20）。结论 ERCP对胰胆管下段良恶性病变的定性诊断准确率明显高于CT和B超，但因CT与B超均属无创性操作且对某些恶性肿瘤也有较高的定性诊断准确率，因此在影像诊断中应考虑3项技术优势互补。     

MDCT of intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm of the pancreas: evaluation of features predictive of invasive carcinoma

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of our study was to evaluate factors predictive of the presence of invasive carcinoma associated with intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN) of the pancreas on MDCT. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Preoperative MDCT of 36 consecutive patients (23 men, 13 women; mean age, 66.6 years) who had undergone surgical resection and had a pathologic diagnosis of IPMN were retrospectively assessed. CT was performed with a 4-MDCT scanner with 120 mL of IV contrast material at an injection rate of 3 mL/sec. Arterial and venous phase images were acquired at 25 and 50-60 sec from the start of IV contrast administration. Type of ductal involvement, location, tumor size in branch duct type and combined type lesions, caliber of the main pancreatic duct, caliber of the common bile duct or common hepatic duct, and solid appearance of the lesion were assessed on CT and correlated with pathologic findings for invasive carcinoma. RESULTS: Pathologic analysis revealed carcinoma in situ in seven patients (19%) and invasive carcinoma in 15 patients (42%) arising from the IPMN. With invasive carcinoma, the size of the tumor in branch duct type and combined type, and the caliber of the main pancreatic duct were significantly larger compared with the lesions without invasive carcinoma (4.7 +/- 1.7 cm vs 2.6 +/- 1.4 cm [p = 0.0007] and 9.3 +/- 5.5 mm vs 4.6 +/- 4.1 mm [p = 0.006], respectively). A solid mass (p < 0.001), dilatation of the common bile duct or common hepatic duct (> or = 15 mm), and the presence of a stent (p = 0.0004) were correlated with the presence of associated invasive carcinoma. CONCLUSION: MDCT helped to predict invasive carcinoma associated with IPMN.     

Disconnected pancreatic duct syndrome: imaging findings and therapeutic implications in 26 surgically corrected patients

PURPOSE: The lack of ductal continuity between a viable pancreatic tissue and the gastrointestinal tract results in the disconnected pancreatic duct syndrome (DPDS). The purpose of our study is to describe accurately the imaging features of CT scanning and endoscopic retrograde pancreatography (ERCP) that define the DPDS. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis of the computed tomography (CT) and ERCP examinations in 26 consecutive patients with surgically proven disconnected pancreatic ducts treated over a 5-year period at our institution. Two abdominal radiologists concurrently defined the imaging features (presence and size of fluid collection along the course of the pancreatic duct, upstream enhancing pancreatic parenchyma, and ERCP abnormalities) via consensus for both exams. Patient demographics, etiology of pancreatitis, surgical treatment, initial CT interpretation, and the delay between symptom onset to correct diagnosis were recorded. RESULTS: A discrete, intrapancreatic fluid collection (average size = 27 cm2 (range, 4-74 cm2) along the course of the main pancreatic duct with upstream viable pancreatic parenchyma was identified by CT in 26 cases. ERCP showed ductal obstruction at the level of the intrapancreatic fluid collection in all patients with extravasation of contrast in 14 (54%). All patients were treated by operation: 15 (58%) by internal drainage into a Roux-en-Y limb of jejunum and 11 (42%) by distal pancreatic resection. No prior CT interpretation correctly identified DPDS. The average delay between symptom onset and definitive diagnosis was 9.3 months (range, 3-36 months). CONCLUSIONS: A discrete intrapancreatic fluid collection along the expected course of the main pancreatic duct with viable upstream pancreatic parenchyma suggests the diagnosis of DPDS. ERCP findings of ductal obstruction at the level of this fluid collection with or without contrast extravasation confirm this diagnosis. Treatment is surgical and requires either internal drainage or distal pancreatic resection for complete resolution.     

Adenocarcinoma of the pancreatic ducts: comparative evaluation with CT and MR imaging at 1.5 T.

A prospective comparison of computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging at 1.5 T was performed in 50 patients with the suspected diagnosis of pancreatic carcinoma. CT scans were obtained before and after administration of contrast material in 41 of 50 patients (82%); 34 of 41 postcontrast scans (83%) were obtained with dynamic CT. MR images were interpreted without knowledge of the results of CT, ultrasound, cholangiography, or endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography in 48 patients (96%). Surgical correlation of findings at CT and MR imaging was performed in 24 patients (48%) at laparotomy and in two patients (4%) at autopsy. On T1-weighted MR images, relatively diminished signal intensity of tumor compared with that of the adjacent pancreas was a consistent finding. MR imaging proved superior to CT in identification of pancreatic carcinoma (particularly in smaller intrapancreatic tumors), peripancreatic extension, vascular and portal vein invasion, and duodenal invasion. These results suggest that MR imaging of the pancreas is superior in many instances to CT in preoperative evaluation of pancreatic carcinoma.     

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma showing iso-attenuation in early-phase contrast-enhanced CT: comparison with histopathological findings

PURPOSE: To clarify the CT characteristics and histopathological findings of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas that are not detected in early-phase contrast-enhanced CT images. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The CT findings of eight patients with histopathologically proven pancreatic carcinomas that were not detected in early-phase images following the rapid injection of contrast material were reviewed. The examinations consisted of pre-contrast-enhanced CT and multi-phase contrast-enhanced CT, with thin-section scanning in each patient. The CT findings were compared with those of the resected specimens. RESULTS: In all cases but one, the lesion was in the pancreatic head. In seven cases, the tumor did not appear as a focal area of hypoattenuation compared with surrounding pancreatic parenchyma in early-phase images, and in the remaining case, small areas of poor enhancement were observed. In late-phase images, hyperattenuated and isoattenuated areas were seen in six and two cases, respectively. In all but one case, the lesion was less than 40 mm in size. All lesions were composed of acinar tissues and tumor cells, and contained small amounts of mucin, necrotic tissue, and pus. The fibrous tissues were not abundant and were interlobular and/or relatively loose. CONCLUSION: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas showing isoattenuation in early-phase images tend to be relatively mild lesions with scirrhous and/or desmoplastic changes.     

胰管内乳头状黏液性肿瘤的CT表现与临床、病理对照

目的 探讨胰管内乳又状黏液性肿瘤的CT特点，并与临床、病理对照，提高该病的诊断正确率。方法 回顾性分析经手术病理证实的8例胰管内乳头状黏液性肿瘤的CT表现，其中男6例，女2例，平均54岁。术前8例均行CT平扫及增强检查，5例行内镜逆行胰胆管造影（ERCP）检查，8例患者亦进行了B超检查，1例行MR检查。结果 CT检查发现胰头部囊实性混合肿块6例，胰头颈体部低密度肿块1例，胰腺体积增大1例，肿块最大径5．6～9．5cm不等，增强后表现为不均匀强化，6例肿块边界尚清晰，1例病灶与胃后壁紧密粘连。8例均有不同程度的胰管扩张，无一例出现远处转移。5例ERCP检查，发现十二指肠乳头增大和黏液溢出者3例，胰头体部胰管中断1例，4例全程胰管扩张。结论 胰腺导管内乳头状黏液性肿瘤的CT表现有一定的特点；CT结合ERCP有助于该病的诊断和指导治疗。     

Diffuse pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma: characteristic imaging features

PURPOSE: To evaluate imaging findings of diffuse pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We included 14 patients (4 men and 10 women; mean age, 64.5 years) with diffuse pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma on the basis of retrospective radiological review. Two radiologists retrospectively reviewed 14 CT scans in consensus with respect to the following: tumor site, peripheral capsule-like structure, dilatation of intratumoral pancreatic duct, parenchymal atrophy, and ancillary findings. Eight magnetic resonance (MR) examinations with MR cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) and seven endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) were also reviewed, focusing on peripheral capsule-like structure and dilatation of intratumoral pancreatic duct. RESULTS: CT revealed tumor localization to the body and tail in 11 (79%) patients and peripheral capsule-like structure in 13 (93%). The intratumoral pancreatic duct was not visible in 13 (93%). Pancreatic parenchymal atrophy was not present in all 14 patients. Tumor invasion of vessels was observed in all 14 patients and of neighbor organs in 8 (57%). On contrast-enhanced T1-weighted MR images, peripheral capsule-like structure showed higher signal intensity in five patients (71%). In all 11 patients with MRCP and/or ERCP, the intratumoral pancreatic duct was not dilated. CONCLUSION: Diffuse pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma has characteristic imaging findings, including peripheral capsule-like structure, local invasiveness, and absence of both dilatation of intratumoral pancreatic duct and parenchymal atrophy.     

The CT findings of pancreatic acinar cell carcinoma in five cases

ObjectivesThe aim of this study is to analyze the computed tomographic (CT) findings of pancreatic acinar cell carcinoma (ACC).Materials and methodsThe CT features and clinical presentations of five patients (four men, one woman; mean age, 52 years) with pathology-proven pancreatic ACC were reviewed. The image characteristics included the lesion location and size, the exophytic nature of the tumor, intratumoral hemorrhage, calcification, the presence of cystic or necrotic components, bile or pancreatic duct dilation, attenuation on the noncontrast image, attenuation on the arterial- and venous-phase images, peripancreatic invasion, peripancreatic lymphadenopathy, and distant metastases.ResultsThe tumors were located at the pancreatic tail in three cases and at the pancreatic head in two cases. The average lesion size was 5.3 cm. Exophytic features and cystic/necrotic components were found in 80% (4/5) and 60% (3/5) of cases, respectively. The ACC showed a mild hypodense appearance on noncontrast CT in 100% (3/3) of cases and a hypodense appearance on arterial-/venous-phase CT in 80% (4/5) of cases. The exception was one lesion that showed a significantly hyperdense appearance and a mildly hyperdense appearance on the arterial- and venous-phase images. None of the CT images showed enhancement of a capsule, calcification, intratumoral hemorrhage, bile or pancreatic duct dilation, vascular encasement, or distant metastatic disease, but three cases showed peripancreatic invasion and lymphadenopathy.ConclusionsWith persistent mild enhancement, the typical ACC appears as an exophytic tumor with a focal cystic/necrotic component and the lack of ductal dilatation. The predilection for older male patients and elevated serum alpha fetoprotein are useful clinical features for confirming an ACC diagnosis.     

十二指肠乳头癌的影像检查比较分析

目的：评价十二指肠乳头癌各种影像检查的价值。方法：对我院1994年11月至2003年4月，25例行手术病理证实为十二指肠乳头癌病例的影像检查进行回顾性分析。结果：25例中，各种影像检查诊断为十二指肠乳头肿瘤的有：超声2例(2／25)；CT2例)(2／18)；ERCT 1例(1／2)；十二指肠镜2例(2／3)；十二指肠低张造影0例(0／3)。结论：十二指肠镜和ERCP检查最准确，但临床应用少。当影像检查发现三联征(即胆总管远端肿物、胆管扩张、主胰管扩张)，应考虑十二指肠乳头癌的诊断。     

Detection of small pancreatic tumors with multiphasic helical CT

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of helical CT in the detection of adenocarcinomas of the pancreas measuring 2 cm or smaller at pathologic examination. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thin-section triple phase (20, 40, and 70 sec after the start of injection) contrast-enhanced helical CT scans of the abdomen in 18 patients with a pancreatic carcinoma that was 2 cm or smaller and 18 patients with a normal pancreas were retrospectively reviewed by two senior radiologists who specialized in oncologic abdominal imaging. Discrepancies were resolved by consensus. The observers were unaware of the clinical information. CT scans were evaluated for the presence of a pancreatic mass, bile, and pancreatic duct stricture. The location and size of tumors as determined on CT were compared with pathologic findings. The CT results were also compared with the prospective CT interpretations derived from the radiology reports and with the endoscopic sonographic reports when available. RESULTS: The sensitivity of thin-section triple-phase helical CT in the detection of small pancreatic masses was 77%, and the specificity was 100% for the two experienced observers. The sensitivity and specificity were 72% and 100%, respectively, for the prospective interpretations done by 10 observers. There was no correlation between the tumor size at pathology and the CT measurements. CONCLUSION: Thin-section contrast-enhanced helical CT is sensitive and highly specific for the detection of pancreatic tumors measuring 2 cm or smaller. Improvement in the detection rate of this technique compared with previous techniques lies in the optimization of parenchymal enhancement during the pancreatic phase and the decrease in slice thickness.     

肝胰原发性恶性纤维组织细胞瘤的CT诊断

目的:探讨肝胰原发性恶性纤维组织细胞瘤(MFH)的CT表现。方法:回顾性分析经手术和病理证实的4例肝MFH和1例胰MFH的CT表现。病理分型:1例为黏液型,4例为多形性型。5例均采用CT平扫和双期增强扫描,其中2例进行了延迟扫描。结果:5例肿瘤最大径6.8~22.5cm,其中位于肝右叶1例,肝左叶3例,胰尾部1例。CT平扫:1例表现为巨大囊性结构为主的肿块,有包膜,边界清楚;4例表现为不规则形低密度肿块,边界不清。增强扫描:动脉期示肿瘤实质呈轻度~明显强化,2例肿瘤内可见细小血管;静脉期肿瘤呈中度~明显强化,肿瘤内坏死区和肿瘤实质显示清晰,边界清楚;延迟期2例示病灶密度稍低于肝实质。5例中合并肝内转移1例,肝内胆管轻度扩张2例,侵犯膈肌2例,腹膜后淋巴结转移1例。术前CT诊断为恶性肿瘤4例,良性病变1例。结论:肝胰MFH的主要CT表现为肿瘤内坏死显著,局部浸润性强,其CT表现与病理所见有很好的一致性。     

Tumor staging of pancreatic adenocarcinoma using early- and late-phase helical CT.

OBJECTIVE: We compared early-phase CT with late-phase CT in the evaluation of pancreatic adenocarcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Both early- and late-phase CT images of 25 pancreatic adenocarcinomas were compared with surgical-pathologic findings. We evaluated tumor detectability, tumor size, and local tumor invasion. RESULTS: Tumor detectability was 96% on early-phase CT imaging and 64% on late-phase CT imaging (p < .01). Sensitivity for anterior serosal invasion, retroperitoneal invasion, and arterial invasion on early-phase CT exceeded sensitivity on late-phase CT (p < .05). However, specificity for all factors on early-phase CT was less than or equal to specificity on late-phase CT. The grade of local tumor invasion on early-phase CT achieved better agreement with the surgical-pathologic results than did late-phase CT, especially for tumor size and retroperitoneal invasion. CONCLUSION: Early-phase CT was better than late-phase CT in revealing tumors, tumor size, and retroperitoneal invasion.     

胰胆管疾病的ERCP影像诊断

目的评价内窥镜逆行胰胆管造影(ERCP)对胰胆管疾病的诊断价值。方法回顾性分析了经手术或病理及临床证实胰胆管疾病480例的ERCP表现,并与CT,MRI,MRCP,超声及透皮肝穿刺胆道造影(PTC)等检查方法进行对比。结果正常胰胆管75例,先天性胆管囊肿14例,胆系结石292例,奥狄括约肌狭窄症46例,壶腹癌、胆管癌52例,胰管癌4例,胰腺炎2例,胰管结石3例,胆道蛔虫症9例,肝内胆管发育变异2例,胆囊管异位开口6例,胆道-腹腔漏2例,十二指肠乳头旁憩室9例,十二指肠乳头开口于憩室内2例,肝移植后吻合口狭窄2例,肝移植后吻合口狭窄并胆漏1例,肝移植后肝外胆管条状结石2例。结论ERCP及MRCP检查同为诊断胰胆管疾病的“金标准”,但每种影像学方法均有其优缺点,应根据患者情况选择。ERCP虽有一定的创伤性,但检查同时可行内镜下乳头括约肌切开术(EST)等微创治疗。     

Morphologic changes in the body of the pancreas secondary to a mass in the pancreatic head. Analysis by CT

CT scans of 279 normal subjects and 78 patients with a pancreatic head mass were reviewed. The mean width of the pancreatic body in normal subjects was 15.8 +/- 2.9 mm, but the width decreased with age. The pancreatic head to body width ratio (H/B ratio) was constant (1.45 +/- 0.03). In 56 patients with carcinoma, the pancreatic body width decreased as tumor size increased and uniform atrophy with continuous beading duct was common in large carcinomas. The H/B ratio in small carcinomas (less than 2 cm), however, was significantly smaller than normal (p less than 0.05) and an enlarged pancreatic body was seen in 55 percent of these cases. The pancreatic body width in focal inflammatory masses was large compared to that in carcinomas of comparable size; the H/B ratio (1.57) was close to normal and the duct caliber to gland width ratio was low (0.16), even with large lesions. Non-uniform pancreatic body with discontinuous duct was most commonly associated with pseudocyst. Characterization of the CT appearance of secondary changes in the pancreatic body may help to improve the diagnosis of pancreatic head mass.     

胰头癌影像检查方法最优化选择（附69例报告）

目的探讨胰头癌影像检查方法的最优化选择。方法回顾性比较了几种影像技术在69例胰头癌中的诊断准确性,其中,58例有明确的病理诊断,余11例经临床与影像诊断。结果几种影像技术对胰头癌具有不同的诊断准确性：USG为86．9％(60／69),CT为89．8％(44／49),ERCP为88．9％(16／18),低张十二指肠造影为100％(8／8),MRI为100％(8／8)．以及DSA100％(3／3)。结论USG与CT可作为诊断胰头癌的首选方法,而其余几种影像技术可选做辅助检查。     

慢性胰腺炎的内镜下逆行性胰胆管造影诊断

本文分析了慢性胰腺炎114例和胰腺癌125例的临床表现、实验室检查、内镜观察和内镜下逆行性胰胆管造影(ERGP)结果,着重讨论了ERCP的慢性胰腺炎分度和胰腺癌分型以及在诊断和鉴别诊断中的作用。作者认为,与临床表现、胰功能和其它影象学检查相比,ERGP结合内镜对乳头周围的观察、对慢性胰腺炎的诊断和胰腺癌的鉴别诊断有较高的阳性率和特异性,但早期诊断尚不敏感。     

Cystic adenomatoid malformation in children: CT histopathological correlation

PURPOSE: This study was performed to assess the accuracy of computed tomography (CT) in classifying the various types of cystic adenomatoid malformation (CAM) of the lung, as described by Stocker et al., taking histopathology as the gold standard. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed six cases of histologically proven CAM. Chest radiography, chest CT and histopathology results were available for all patients. The CT images were reviewed blinded to the histological findings, and attention was paid to the number and size of cysts so as to classify the lesions into the three groups described by Stocker et al. The classification of lesions based on the CT images was then correlated to the histopathological findings. RESULTS: Areas with small-sized cysts (<2 cm) were detected by CT in two patients (33.3%), areas with large cysts (>2 cm) were seen in three cases (50%) whereas in the remaining case, the diagnosis was mixed type I and type II CAM. In one patient with type I CAM, an area of low-density consolidation around the cysts was interpreted as CAM in a context of pulmonary sequestration. The CT classification based on Stocker et al.'s categories was in agreement with the histopathological findings in four cases, whereas in the remaining two cases, the lesions were classed as type I or II on CT and as mixed (type I and II) lesions at histopathology. In one case, the CT classification was correct, but the histopathology revealed the coexistence of pulmonary sequestration. CONCLUSIONS: In our study, there was concordance between CT and histopathology in 66.7% of cases, whereas in 33.3% histopathology revealed areas with mixed grade lesions. CT proved to be accurate in identifying and characterising CAM and provided important information on lesion site and extension.