Erschienen in:
03.04.2017 | Original Article
Contour variations of the body and tail of the pancreas: evaluation with MDCT
verfasst von:
Ahmad Khalid Omeri, Shunro Matsumoto, Maki Kiyonaga, Ryo Takaji, Yasunari Yamada, Kazuhisa Kosen, Hiromu Mori, Hidetoshi Miyake
Erschienen in:
Japanese Journal of Radiology
|
Ausgabe 6/2017
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Abstract
Purpose
To analyze morphology/contour variations of the pancreatic body and tail in subjects free of pancreatic disease.
Methods
We retrospectively reviewed triple-phase, contrast-enhanced multi-detector row computed tomography (3P-CE-MDCT) examinations of 449 patients who had no clinical or CT evidence of pancreatic diseases. These patients were evaluated for morphologic/contour variations of the pancreatic body and tail, which were classified into two types. In Type I, a portion of normal pancreatic parenchyma protrudes >1 cm in maximum diameter from the body or tail (Ia-anteriorly; Ib-posteriorly). Type II was defined as a morphologic anomaly of the pancreatic tail (IIa-globular; IIb-lobulated; IIc-tapered; IId-bifid).
Results
Thirty-eight (8.5%) out of 449 patients had body or tail variations. Of those, 23 patients showed Type I variant: Ia in 21 and Ib in two. Type II variant was identified in 15 patients: IIa in eight, IIb in two, IIc in two and IId in three. Protrusion of the anterior surface of the normal pancreas, especially in the tail, was the most frequently occurring variant.
Conclusions
Recognizing the types and subtypes of morphology/contour variations of the pancreatic body and tail could help prevent misinterpretation of normal variants as pancreatic tumors on unenhanced MDCT.