3.0T MR灌注加权成像和扩散加权成像在胰腺肿块诊断中的应用

目的 评价3.0 T MR灌注参数和ADC值在胰腺癌和胰腺肿块诊断中的应用价值.方法 选取20名正常志愿者及25例经手术病理证实的胰腺癌患者,行基于T1对比胰腺灌注扫描.测量胰腺癌组织、邻近胰腺组织、远端炎症区及正常胰腺组织的血管通透性常数(Ktrans)、血液回流常数(Kep)及细胞外血管外间质容量(Ve),并采用方差分析进行比较.15名正常志愿者及58例患者(胰腺癌30例、肿块型胰腺炎9例、实性假乳头状瘤9例及神经内分泌肿瘤10例)行DWI,采用方差分析比较不同组织的ADC值,并应用ROC曲线分析其诊断效能.结果 胰腺癌组织、邻近胰腺组织、远端炎症区及正常胰腺的Ktrans分别为(1.66±1.25)、(3.77±2.67)、(1.16±0.94)和(2.69±1.46)/min,差异有统计学意义(F=8.160,P＜0.01),其中胰腺癌组织的Ktrans低于正常胰腺组织(P=0.011)及邻近胰腺组织(P=0.002);上述部位的Kep分别为(2.53±1.55)、(5.64±2.64)、(1.70±0.91)和(4.28±1.64)/min,差异有统计学意义(F=4.544,P＜0.01),其中胰腺癌组织的Kep值均低于正常胰腺组织(P=0.035)及邻近胰腺组织(P=0.041);Ve中位数分别为0.926、0.839、0.798和0.659,差异有统计学意义(χ2=12.040,P＜0.01),胰腺癌的Ve值高于正常胰腺(P＝0.002).胰腺癌组织、肿块型胰腺炎、实性假乳头状瘤、神经内分泌肿瘤及正常胰腺的ADC值分别为(1.57±0.26)×10-3、(1.19±0.15)×10-3、(1.05±0.35)×10-3、(1.62±0.41)×10-3及(1.82±0.25)×10-3 mm2/s,差异有统计学意义(F=21.681,P＜0.01),其中肿块型胰腺炎、胰腺癌及正常胰腺的ADC值两两之间差异均有统计学意义(P＜0.01),实性假乳头状瘤的ADC值低于神经内分泌肿瘤(P＜0.01).以ADC≥1.33×10-3mm2/s从肿块型胰腺炎中鉴别诊断胰腺癌,灵敏度和特异度分别为86.7%和88.9%,阳性预测值为96.3%,阴性预测值为66.7%.以ADC值≤1.25×10-3 mm2/s作为诊断实性假乳头状瘤的临界点,灵敏度和特异度分别为77.8%和100.0%,阳性预测值100.0%,阴性预测值83.3%.结论 3.0 T MR PWI显示胰腺癌的Ktrans和Kep较低,而Ve较高;呼吸门控DWI序列的ADC值能够较好地反映正常胰腺及胰腺肿块的组织病理生理特征,有助于胰腺肿块的诊断与鉴别.

Abstract：

Objective To investigate the value of MR perfusion parameters and ADC in the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer and pancreatic mass at 3.0 T MR. Methods Twenty healthy volunteers and 25 patients with pancreatic cancers proven by pathological results underwent MR PWI at a 3.0 T scanner. A two-compartment model was used to quantify Ktrans, Kep and Ve in the pancreatic cancer, adjacent pancreatic tissue, distal inflammatory pancreatic tissue and normal pancreatic tissue. All parameters among different tissues were analyzed and compared with ANONA. Fifteen normal volunteers and 58 patients, including 30 patients with pancreatic cancer (proven histopathologically), 9 patients with pancreatitis pseudotumor (4 patients proven by histopathological results, 5 patients proven by follow-up after treatment), 9 patients with solid pseudopapillary tumor of pancreas (SPTP, proven histopathologically) and 10 patients with pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor (PET, proven by histopathology), underwent respiratory-triggered DWI on 3.0 T. ADC values of normal pancreas and all types of pancreatic lesions were statistically analyzed and compared with ANONA. ROC curve was used to analyze the diagnostic power of ADC value. Results Ktrans of pancreatic cancer, adjacent pancreatic tissue, distal inflammatory pancreatic tissue and normal pancreatic tissue were (1.66±1.25), (3.77±2.67),(1.16±0.94) and (2.69±1.46)/min respectively(F=8.160, P＜0.01). LSD test showed that Ktrans in the pancreatic cancer was statistically lower than that in normal pancreas (P=0.011)and adjacent pancreatic tissue(P=0.002). Kep of pancreatic cancer, adjacent pancreatic tissue, distal inflammatory pancreatic tissue and normal pancreatic tissue were (2.53±1.55), (5.64±2.64), (1.70±0.91) and (4.28±1.64)/min respectively(F=4.544, P＜0.01). LSD test revealed that Kep in pancreatic cancer was statistically lower than that in normal pancreatic tissue (P=0.035)and adjacent pancreatic tissue(P=0.041). The median of Ve among the pancreatic cancer, adjacent pancreatic tissue, distal inflammatory pancreatic tissue and normal pancreatic tissue were 0.926, 0.839, 0.798 and 0.659 respectively (χ2=12.040,P＜0.01). Ve in pancreatic cancer was statistically higher than that in normal pancreatic tissue (P=0.002). ADC values of the pancreatic cancer, pancreatitis pseudotumor, SPTP, PET and normal pancreas were(1.57±0.26)×10-3,(1.19±0.15)×10-3,(1.05±0.35)×10-3,(1.62±0.41)×10-3 and (1.82±0.25)×10-3 mm2/s(F=21.681, P＜0.01). LSD test showed there were significant statistical differences in ADC values among pancreatic cancer, pancreatitis pseudotumor and normal pancreatic tissue (P＜0.01). ROC curve disclosed that the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value were 86.7%, 88.9%, 96.3% and 66.7% respectively, when ADC≥1.33×10-3 mm2/s was used as a cutoff value for differential diagnosis of PDCA from MLP. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value were 77.8%, 100.0%, 100.0% and 83.3% respectively when ADC≤1.25×10-3 mm2/s was used as a cutoff value for differential diagnosis of SPTP from PET. Conclusion Compared to normal pancreatic tissue, pancreatic cancer usually had a lower Ktrans, Kep and larger Ve. ADC values from respiratory-triggered DWI were well related to histopathological features of pancreatic entities and may be helpful in the differential diagnosis.     

Comparison of qualitative and quantitative measurements on unenhanced T1-weighted fat saturation MR images in predicting pancreatic pathology

PURPOSE: To evaluate the accuracy of signal intensity (SI) analysis on unenhanced fat-suppressed T1-weighted MR images in the diagnosis of pancreatic disease and to compare subjective interpretation with different quantitative measurements. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The pancreas was evaluated in 159 patients (86 normal and 73 with pancreatic disease) with spoiled gradient echo (GRE) T1-weighted fat saturation MR images. The relative SI of the pancreas to liver and spleen was quantitatively measured using regions of interest (ROIs) and qualitatively assessed by two independent observers. RESULTS: The mean values between a normal and an abnormal pancreas with pancreas-liver ratios of 0.14 +/- 0.37 vs. -0.32 +/- 0.24, respectively, and pancreas-spleen ratios of 0.89 +/- 0.55 vs. 0.02 +/- 0.43, respectively, were significantly different (P < 0.001). The pancreas-liver SI ratio was significantly better than the pancreas-spleen ratio throughout the disease group (area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve +/- SD; 0.92 +/- 0.02 for pancreas-liver vs. 0.86 +/- 0.03 for pancreas-spleen, P < 0.01), and after excluding cases of acute pancreatitis (0.96 +/- 0.02 for pancreas-liver vs. 0.89 +/- 0.03 for pancreas-spleen, P < 0.01). There was no statistically significant difference between quantitative and qualitative analysis (area under the ROC curve +/- SD; 0.93 +/- 0.02 vs. 0.93 +/- 0.02 for the entire disease group; excluding acute pancreatitis 0.96 +/- 0.02 vs 0.97 +/- 0.02) for the diagnosis of pancreatic disease when using liver as internal standard. The interobserver concordance was very good (kappa > 0.71). The sensitivity of visual liver comparison was 80% in the entire disease group and 91% after the cases of acute pancreatitis were excluded, while specificity was 93%. CONCLUSION: The pancreas-liver ratio is the best quantitative means of distinguishing normal from abnormal pancreas. Visual observation by experienced observers (qualitative measurement) was just as accurate as quantitative measurement. Detection of pancreatic pathology can be made with high accuracy by visually comparing the SI of the pancreas with that of the normal liver.     

The inability to detect kidney disease on the basis of echogenicity

With the use of new sonographic technology, we have observed that the echogenicity of kidneys is often equal to that of the liver in patients in whom there is no evidence of renal disease; this observation conflicts with the generally accepted notion that a normal kidney is always less echogenic than the liver. In order to reassess renal echogenicity as an indicator of disease, three experienced radiologists blindly reviewed the sonograms of the right kidney and liver in 153 patients. The prevalence of renal disease was 26% (40/153). Accepted sonographic criteria for abnormal renal echogenicity (kidney echogenicity greater than or equal to liver) were neither sensitive (62%) nor specific (58%) for renal disease, with a positive predictive value of 35%. Most of these inaccuracies occurred because 43 (72%) of 60 patients in whom renal echogenicity was equal to that of liver had normal renal function. If stricter criteria for abnormality were adopted (kidney echogenicity greater than liver), specificity (96%) and positive predictive value (67%) rose; however, sensitivity was only 20%. We conclude that renal echogenicity equal to the echogenicity of liver is not a good indicator of disease. Use of stricter criteria (kidney echogenicity greater than liver) provides a specific but insensitive test.     

MDCT and superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO)-enhanced MR findings of intrapancreatic accessory spleen in seven patients

The aim of this study is to retrospectively evaluate intrapancreatic accessory spleen (IPAS) with mutidetector computed tomography (MDCT) and superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO)-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with emphasis on the role of SPIO-MRI for the diagnosis of IPAS. Seven patients (four men and three women; mean age, 50.7 years) with IPAS underwent quadriphasic MDCT and SPIO-enhanced MRI. IPAS was diagnosed histopathologically (n=2) or by scintigraphy (n=5). Two radiologists evaluated CT and MRI in consensus for the location and size of each lesion and compared its attenuation on CT and signal intensity (SI) on MRI with those of the pancreas and spleen. For quantitative analysis, another radiologist calculated the mean lesional, pancreatic, and splenic attenuations or SIs on MDCT or MRI in each patient. All lesions were located in the pancreatic tail. The average lesion size was 1.5±0.5 cm. All IPASs except one appeared high-attenuating to the pancreas and were isoattenuating to the spleen on all dynamic CT phases. The IPASs were hypointense and hyperintense compared with the pancreas on unenhanced T1- and T2-weighted images, respectively, and their SI was similar to that of the spleen. On SPIO-enhanced, T2-weighted images, a similar degree of signal drop to that of the spleen was noted in all lesions. The results of the quantitative analysis were compatible with those of the subjective analysis. In most IPASs, the attenuation on CT and SI on MRI were identical to those of the spleen, and on SPIO-enhanced MRI, the degree of the signal drop in all lesions was similar to that of the spleen.     

MR quantification of hepatic iron concentration

PURPOSE: To evaluate the accuracy of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging in the quantification of hepatic iron concentration. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between April 1999 and June 2001, 112 patients were recruited prospectively. All had undergone liver biopsy and hepatic iron concentration quantification with spectrophotometry, followed by MR imaging. MR imaging involved use of four gradient-echo sequences and one spin-echo sequence. Signal intensity (SI) was measured on images obtained with each sequence by means of regions of interest placed in the liver and paraspinal muscle to obtain the liver-to-muscle SI ratio. The relationship between hepatic iron concentration and SI ratio for each sequence was analyzed with multiple linear regression. Receiver operating characteristic analysis was performed to find the diagnostic thresholds. RESULTS: Sixty-eight patients had normal hepatic iron levels (<36 micromol/g), 23 had hemosiderosis (36-80 micromol/g), and 21 had hemochromatosis (>80 micromol/g). With all sequences, an inverse linear relationship between iron concentration and SI ratio was apparent. The authors generated a mathematic model to estimate the iron concentrations from MR imaging data (r = 0.937). For estimated concentrations of more than 85 micromol/g, the positive predictive value for hemochromatosis was 100%; for those less than 40 micromol/g, the negative predictive value for hemochromatosis was 100%. For estimated concentrations of more than 58 micromol/g, the positive predictive value for iron overload was 100%; for those less than 20 micromol/g, the negative predictive value for iron overload was 100%. CONCLUSION: MR imaging is a useful and noninvasive diagnostic tool for quantification of hepatic iron concentration.     

多层螺旋CT胰腺增强扫描：扫描方案的选择及对胰周血管的评价

目的：通过胰腺同层动态增强扫描,获得感兴趣区的时间-密度曲线,确定胰腺增强扫描的最佳延迟时间,并应用此扫描方案分析胰周血管的显示率。方法：①随机选择20例无胰腺疾病的患者进行胰腺同层动态增强扫描,获得感兴趣区的强化峰值及到达峰值时间;②随机选择40例无胰腺疾病的患者进行胰腺三期增强扫描,分析胰周血管的显示率。结果：①腹主动脉强化峰值时间约为30s,平均强化峰值为350．3HU,20s时平均CT值为316．7HU;门静脉强化峰值时间约为45s,胰腺实质强化峰值时间约为40s,肝脏实质强化峰值时间约为55s,曲线到达峰值后75s内处于平台期;②胰周主要动脉（CA、HA、SA、sMA）的显示率为100％（40／40）,除AIPDA以外的其它胰周小动脉显示率为75％～100％。胰周主要静脉（PV、SV、SMV）的显示率为100％（40／40）,除AIPDV以外的其它胰周小静脉显示率为75％-100％。结论：在注射剂量100ml,注射流率4ml／S时,建议多层螺旋CT胰腺增强扫描的延迟时间分别为动脉期20s,胰腺实质期45s,门静脉期或肝脏期70s。     

胰腺形态和密度的CT评价及临床相关性的研究

目的：研究正常胰腺的CT表现,探讨不同年龄组胰腺形态和密度的变化规律。方法：选取无胰腺病变病人361例,根据年龄进行分组,对胰腺区进行平扫及增强扫描检查。分别测量胰腺的胰头、胰颈、胰体和胰尾的径线及CT值。分别对比不同年龄组胰腺各部分的大小和密度。结果：胰头、胰颈、胰体、胰尾最大值应分别为32mm、18.42mm、24.59mm和23.83mm,年龄与胰腺大小,密度呈负相关。结论：胰腺形态变异较大,胰腺大小和密度与年龄相关,胰腺萎缩多发生于老年人,胰腺退行性变表现为胰腺体积的缩小和胰腺的脂肪浸润,胰腺各部位径经与密度的变化测量胰腺的形态和密度的CT参数,是研究胰腺形态学改变的理想方法。     

螺旋CT双期扫描技术及其在胰腺癌诊断中的价值

目的：探讨螺旋CT双期扫描技术及其对胰腺癌的诊断价值。方法：正常人60例及胰腺癌44例分两组行螺旋CT双期扫描：A组40例,分动脉期和门动脉期（注射对比剂后20s和60s）扫描;B组64例,分胰腺期和肝脏期（注射对比剂后35s和70s)扫描。分别测定各期胰腺、病灶及胰周大血管的CT值,计算胰腺期及肝脏期胰周小静脉的显示率,并行统计学处理,对扫描时相的比较采用方差分析及q检验处理,对胰周小静脉的显示率采用x^2检验分析。结果：正常组,胰腺在胰腺期的增强值高于其他3期（F＝13．45,P＜0．0001）胰周大血管在胰腺期显示良好。胰周小静脉的显示率,胰腺期优于肝脏期（x^2=4．44,12．38,4．81,P＜0．05）;异常组,胰腺与病灶的增强差值,胰腺期明显大于其他3期（F＝14．90,P＜0．0001）,发现小胰腺癌4例。胰周大血管受侵者占不可切除性肿瘤的54％（19／35）,胰周小静脉迂曲扩张者占42％（10／42）。肝转移灶占37％（13／35）。结论：胰腺螺旋CT双期扫描宜分为胰腺期和肝脏期,该技术在胰腺癌的诊断中具有非常重要的临床价值。     

Normal and abnormal pancreas in children: US studies

The real-time ultrasound images of the pancreas in 273 children without pancreatic disease were prospectively analyzed to determine the normal appearance of the pancreas. The dimensions of the head, body, and tail of the pancreas were correlated with patient age, weight, height, and body surface area. Correlation between pancreatic dimensions and patient age was as good as or better than that obtained with the other physical parameters. In general, the normal pancreas had a similar sized head and tail with a thinner body as compared with the abnormal pancreas, and an echogenicity that was equal to or slightly greater than that of the liver. Analysis of the images of 13 patients with pancreatitis showed that the presence of a dilated main pancreatic duct was the most useful feature in suggesting an abnormality. Evaluation of pancreatic size, configuration, and echogenicity was not reliable in the differentiation of the normal from the abnormal pancreas.     

Age-related changes in normal adult pancreas: MR imaging evaluation

Objective

To investigate age-related changes in normal adult pancreas as identified by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Materials and methods

We examined 115 patients without pancreatic diseases (21–90 years) who underwent upper abdominal MRI to evaluate the normal pancreatic MRI findings related to aging. The parameters examined were the pancreatic anteroposterior (AP) diameter, pancreatic lobulation, pancreatic signal intensity (SI), depiction of the main pancreatic duct (MPD), grade of the visual SI decrease on the opposed-phase T1-weighted images compared with in-phase images, and enhancement effect of the pancreas in the arterial phase of dynamic imaging.

Results

The pancreatic AP diameter significantly reduced (head, p = 0.0172; body, p = 0.0007; tail, p < 0.0001), and lobulation (p < 0.0001) and parenchymal fatty change (p < 0.0001) became more evident with aging. No significant correlation was observed between aging and pancreatic SI, however the SI on the in-phase T1-weighted images tended to decrease with aging. No significant correlation was observed between aging and the depiction of the MPD as well as aging and contrast enhancement.

Conclusion

MRI findings of pancreatic atrophy, lobulation, and fatty degeneration are characteristic changes related to aging, and it is necessary to recognize these changes in the interpretation of abdominal MRI in patients with and without pancreatic disease.     

Detection of liver metastases from adenocarcinoma of the colon and pancreas: comparison of mangafodipir trisodium-enhanced liver MRI and whole-body FDG PET

OBJECTIVE: The objective of our study was to assess the relative performance of mangafodipir trisodium-enhanced liver MRI and whole-body FDG PET for the detection of liver metastases from adenocarcinoma of the colon and pancreas. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Imaging data of 34 patients (23 men, 11 women; age range, 44-78 years) with adenocarcinoma of the colon (n = 27) or adenocarcinoma of the pancreas (n = 7) who had undergone mangafodipir trisodium-enhanced liver MRI and whole-body FDG PET were retrospectively reviewed for the presence and number of liver metastases. Histopathology (n = 25) or follow-up imaging (n = 9) served as the standard of reference. Breath-hold T1-weighted gradient-recalled echo, respiratory-triggered T2-weighted fast spin-echo, and mangafodipir trisodium-enhanced axial fat-saturated high-spatial-resolution (256 x 512) T1-weighted gradient-recalled echo images were obtained on a 1.5-T scanner. FDG PET was performed after the injection of 15-20 mCi (555-740 MBq) of FDG. The sensitivity, positive predictive value, and accuracy were calculated for each technique. The performances of the two techniques were compared using the Fisher's exact test. RESULTS: Thirty patients had hepatic metastases and four had no hepatic metastases according to the standard of reference. The total number of metastases was 79, including 33 that measured less than 1 cm. Based on a per-patient analysis, MRI and FDG PET showed sensitivities of 96.6% and 93.3%, positive predictive values of 100% and 90.3%, and accuracies of 97.1% and 85.3%, respectively. According to a per-lesion analysis, MRI and FDG PET showed sensitivities of 81.4% and 67.0%, positive predictive values of 89.8% and 81.3%, and accuracies of 75.5% and 64.1%, respectively. MRI detected more hepatic metastases than FDG PET (p = 0.016). Of the 33 subcentimeter lesions confirmed on the standard of reference, all were identified on MRI, whereas only 12 were detected on FDG PET (p = 0.0001). CONCLUSION: In patients with colon and pancreatic adenocarcinoma, high-spatial-resolution mangafodipir trisodium-enhanced liver MRI and whole-body FDG PET were comparable in the detection of patients with liver metastases. FDG PET provided additional information about extrahepatic disease and was useful in initial staging. However, significantly more and smaller liver metastases were detected on MRI than on FDG PET.     

Nonfunctioning endocrine tumors of the pancreas: possibilities of spiral CT characterization

The aim of this study was to assess the ability of spiral CT to adequately characterize the nonfunctioning endocrine tumors (NFETs) of the pancreas, distinguishing this lesion from the other pancreatic tumors. The spiral CT examinations of 21 cases of histologically proven NFETs, along with those of 29 cases of other pancreatic tumors and tumor-like lesions, were retrospectively reviewed in a blinded fashion by two radiologists, in order to correctly classify the lesions, highlighting the typical signs reported in the literature. Discordant cases were further analyzed in the presence of a third radiologist. The final diagnosis was acquired by means of a majority or overall consensus. The histopathologic examination was considered the gold standard. The sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of CT were calculated. After the consensus evaluation, the correct diagnosis was reached in 72% of cases, with 10% of nonspecific diagnoses of solid pancreatic tumor and 18% of wrong diagnoses. The sensitivity and specificity of spiral CT in identifying NFETs were 66.6 and 82.7%, respectively. The positive and negative predictive values were 73.7 and 77.4%, respectively. In up to 70% of cases the NFET demonstrates a typical aspect of a mass hyperdense in the arterial contrastographic phase eventually associated with hyperdense hepatic metastases in more than half of the patients. This finding does allow the diagnosis of NFET but without certainty indeed, since other tumors can show a similar densitometric behavior and among them particularly the ductal adenocarcinoma. On the other hand, both the solid, hypovascularized NFETs, and the cystic form, cannot be differentiated from the other solid and cystic tumors of the pancreas.     

胰腺MRI:技术及诊断研究

目的 :探讨MR不同序列在胰腺病变诊断中的应用价值。方法 :84例胰腺检查包括 5 0例正常胰腺及 3 4例临床怀疑有病变的胰腺 ,其中包括 15例胰腺癌 ,2例胰岛细胞瘤 ,1例粘液性囊腺瘤 ,4例胰周肿瘤 ,12例胰腺炎。MR扫描序列包括常规SET1WI ;FSET2 WI ;增强前、后的脂肪抑制T1WI和GRE。结果 :3 4例异常胰腺中的 2 7例 ,增强前、后T1WI脂肪抑制像提供了最好的诊断信息 ,其次为增强后立即扫描的GRE像。未增强的GRE像极好地显示了急性胰腺炎的特征 ,SET2 WI像对胰岛细胞瘤及胰腺癌的肝转移显示较为敏感。结论 :增强前、后T1WI脂肪抑制序列及动态增强的GER序列 ,应为胰腺MRI的标准序列。     

Potential use of point shear wave elastography for the pancreas: A single center prospective study

Aim

Clinical use of point shear wave elastography for the liver has been established, however, few studies demonstrated its usefulness for the pancreas. A prospective study was conducted to clarify its feasibility for the pancreas and its usefulness for the identification of high risk group for pancreatic cancer.

Patients and methods

Consecutive eighty-five patients underwent point shear wave elastography for the pancreas. The success rate of shear wave velocity (SWV) measurement, that is the number of successful measurements over total 10 measurements, was recorded. The SWV of the pancreas measured at non-tumorous area was compared between patients with and without pancreatic cancer. Factors associated with high SWV were determined by logistic regression model.

Results

Sixty patients were included, of these 18 had pancreatic cancer. The success rate of 100% was achieved at the head, the body and the tail of the pancreas in 80%, 83%, and 68% of the patients, respectively. The success rate of ≥80% was achieved in 100%, 100%, and 96% of the patients, respectively. Although mean SWV of the pancreas harboring pancreatic cancer tended to be higher compared with that of the pancreas without cancer (1.51 ± 0.45 m/s vs 1.43 ± 0.28 m/s), they did not reach statistical significance. Multivariate analysis showed that increased amount of alcohol intake was associated with high SWV.

Conclusion

The SWV of the pancreas was measured with excellent success rate. However, tendency of higher SWV obtained from the pancreas harboring pancreatic cancer needed to be further investigated.     

Preoperative local MRI-staging of patients with a suspected pancreatic mass

The aim of this study was to define the value of MRI of the pancreas for preoperative local staging of patients with a suspected pancreatic mass. Ninety-four patients (41 women, 53 men; age range 32-87 years) with a suspected pancreatic tumor underwent preoperative staging with MRI on a 1.5-T system. The MRI protocol included breath-hold MR cholangiopancreatography in turbo spin-echo technique, biphasic contrast-enhanced 3D MR angiography, and MRI of the upper abdomen with breath-hold T2-weighted half-Fourier acquired single-shot turbo spin-echo and T1-weighted fast-low-angle-shot (pre- and postcontrast) sequences. Data were collected prospectively and analyzed by two radiologists in agreement modality. Evaluation criteria were vascular involvement, resectability, and a characterization benign vs malignant. Results were compared to histopathology in 78 patients. Sixteen patients were followed-up. In 74 of 94 patients a solid tumor or an inflammation of the pancreas ( n=62) or the papilla ( n=12) was detected. In this group, MRI had a sensitivity of 98%, a specificity of 92%, and an accuracy of 96% in the characterization of malignant tumors. Regarding only the solid tumors, the positive predictive value of MRI was 87% with respect to resectability. Other pathologic findings included adenoma or inflammation of the duodenum ( n=5), carcinoma or benign stenosis of the choledochus duct ( n=7) and carcinoma of the gall bladder ( n=2). In 6 patients MRI did not depict any pathologic findings, and follow-up confirmed this interpretation. Magnetic resonance imaging allows a local preoperative staging in patients with suspected pancreatic tumor. Limitations, however, concern to the diagnostics of peritoneal and/or liver metastases.     

胰腺内分泌肿瘤的MRI诊断

目的 探讨MRI在胰腺内分泌肿瘤诊断中韵价值。资料与方法 15例胰腺内分泌肿瘤患者均行MRI检查。扫描序列包括SE T1WI、FS T1WI、FSE T2WI、FMPSPGR平扫及动态增强扫描。结果 15例患者共16个病灶。多数肿瘤呈长T1（9／15）长T2（11／15）信号,FS T1WI及FMPSPGR平扫序列多为低信号（分别为8／11和13／16）,且显示肿瘤较常规SE T1WI更清晰,动态增强后肿瘤可有多种强化方式,8个动脉期中度或明显均匀强化,门脉和延迟期有所下降但仍高于周围正常胰腺实质;2个动脉期边缘结节样强化,进行性向中心填充;2个表现为均匀轻中度强化;2个呈均一渐进性强化;2个明显囊变,囊变区无强化,周围呈持续环状强化。动态增强扫描不仅有助于肿瘤的检出、定性,而且可以了解血管受累程度及有无肝脏、淋巴结转移。结论 MRI多序列扫描及动态增强扫描对胰内分泌肿瘤诊断具有较高价值。     

胰腺导管内乳头状黏液性肿瘤恶变的影像表现

目的探讨胰腺导管内乳头状黏液性肿瘤(IPMN)恶变的影像表现和诊断价值。方法回顾分析经手术或超声内镜下活检病理证实的60例IPMN,探讨IPMN恶变的CT及MRI影像表现和诊断价值,并进行统计学分析。结果60例患者共发现良性IPMN 34例,恶性26例。良性IPMNs的特征性表现为胰腺内囊性病灶,和主胰管相通,IPMNs恶变的特征有:增粗的胰管内出现明显强化的壁结节(17/26),结节直径>10 mm(13/26);主胰管直径>10 mm(10/26);或IPMN随访过程中出现胰腺明显肿块,胰管、胆管逐渐增粗、扩张加重。MRCP对IPMN与胰管相通的显示率高达91.7%(55/60),明显高于CT(76.7%,46/60)(χ^2=5.065,P<0.05)。恶性IPMN中胆总管扩张有14例,而良性IPMN胆总管扩张仅2例。根据MRCP胆总管扩张情况诊断IPMN恶变的诊断敏感性及特异性分别为53.8%及94.1%,阳性预测值为87.5%。恶性IPMN DWI受限达21例(80.8%),良性IPMN DWI轻度受限5例(14.7%)。恶性IPMN的ADC值[(2.04±0.38)×10^-3mm^2/s]显著低于良性IPMN[(2.83±0.29)×10^-3mm^2/s],统计学有差异(P<0.05)。ROC曲线下面积为0.9383,以2.34×10^-3mm^2/s为阈值,敏感性和特异性分别达到80.8%和94.1%,95%可信区间值80.32%~99.28%。对IPMN恶变的诊断敏感性MRI及CT分别为88.5%(23/26)、80.8%(21/26),诊断特异性分别为88.2%(30/34)、79.4%(27/34),统计学无差异(P>0.05)。结论胰腺导管内乳头状黏液性肿瘤恶变的影像表现具有一定特征性,在IPMN随访过程中应注意并提早判断,有助于改善临床治疗方案及提高患者预后及生存。     

肾上腺肿瘤的MRI初步研究

本文通过26例31个肾上腺病变的MR 影像分析,提示MR 具有鉴别良恶性肾上腺肿瘤的能力。在SE 长TR/TE 序列中,皮质腺瘤信号与肝实质相似或稍高。而腺癌及大多数转移瘤信号明显比肝实质高,但较脂肪信号稍低。嗜铬细胞瘤信号则与脂肪相似或更高。     

Pancreatic cancer versus chronic pancreatitis: diagnosis with CA 19-9 assessment, US, CT, and CT-guided fine-needle biopsy

The authors prospectively performed serum CA 19-9 assessment, ultrasound (US), computed tomography (CT), and CT-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) of the pancreas in 81 consecutive patients with suspected chronic pancreatitis or pancreatic neoplasm. The final diagnosis was pancreatic cancer in 54 patients and chronic pancreatitis in 27 patients. CA 19-9 assessment, US, CT, and FNAB were considered nondiagnostic, respectively, in 0%, 25%, 19%, and 6% of cases. When a definite diagnosis was rendered, the positive predictive value was 90% for CA 19-9 assessment, 95% for US, 98% for CT, and 100% for FNAB; the negative predictive value was, respectively, 69%, 95%, 86%, and 100%. The accuracy of all diagnostic and nondiagnostic studies was 81% for CA 19-9 assessment, 72% for US, 77% for CT, and 94% for FNAB. It is concluded that CT-guided pancreatic FNAB is the most reliable examination for enabling differential diagnosis of pancreatic cancer and chronic pancreatitis. When the pancreas is well visualized at US, the negative predictive value for pancreatic cancer is more accurate than that of CA 19-9 assessment and CT.     

Ampullary carcinoma: Demonstration by current MR techniques

The objective of this study was to demonstrate the appearance of ampullary carcinoma using current MR techniques, including fat suppression, gadolinium enhancement, and MR cholangiography. Nine patients with ampullary carcinoma were examined by MRI at 1.5 T. MR examinations included T1-weighted spoiled gradient echo, T1-weighted fat-suppressed, and immediate postgadolinium spoiled gradient echo images for all patients and MR cholangiography for three patients. The imaging features of ampullary carcinomas, including tumor size and morphology, signal intensity, and enhancement characteristics, were determined. Ampullary carcinomas shown on MR images ranged in size from 1.5 to 5.5 cm. Tumors were low in signal intensity on precontrast T1-weighted spoiled gradient echo and T1-weighted fat-suppressed images relative to normal pancreatic tissue and enhanced less than normal pancreas on immediate postgadolinium spoiled gradient echo images. Tumor conspicuity was greatest on immediate postgadolinium spoiled gradient echo images. MR cholangiography demonstrated high grade obstruction of the common bile duct and mild dilatation of the pancreatic duct at the level of the ampulla with abrupt termination of the ducts in two untreated patients and moderate dilatation of the common bile duct in one patient who had a biliary stent. Ampullary carcinomas can be demonstrated on MR images as small masses arising at the ampulla. Tumors are well defined on immediate postgadolinium spoiled gradient echo images.