Cystic pancreatic neoplasms evaluation by CT and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography

Gastrointest Endosc Clin N Am. 2002 Oct;12(4):657-72. doi: 10.1016/s1052-5157(02)00022-3.

Abstract

CT provides limited assistance in the differentiation between serous and mucinous neoplasms. Because of the variability in the radiographic appearance of serous cystadenomas and overlap in CT characteristics with mucinous neoplasms, most serous neoplasms still require ancillary testing such as biopsy to reach a definitive diagnosis. MRCP is useful in differentiating benign and malignant mucinous tumors including IPMT of the pancreas. The presence of mural nodules is suggestive of malignancy; however, the absence of mural nodules does not indicate that the tumor is benign. A maximum main pancreatic duct diameter of greater than 15 mm and diffuse dilatation of the main pancreatic duct are suggestive of malignancy in main duct-type tumors. Among branch duct-type tumors, malignant tumors tend to be larger than benign tumors; however, this finding is variable. The presence of main pancreatic duct dilatation may be helpful in determining malignancy of branch duct-type tumors.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Biopsy
  • Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast / diagnosis
  • Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde / methods*
  • Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde / standards
  • Cystadenocarcinoma, Mucinous / diagnosis
  • Cystadenoma, Serous / diagnosis
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods*
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / standards
  • Pancreatic Cyst / diagnosis*
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Pancreatic Pseudocyst / diagnosis
  • Papilloma, Intraductal / diagnosis
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed / methods*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed / standards