Imaging of the Pancreas

Abstract

The evaluation of pancreatic lesions, from solid pancreatic masses to pancreatic cysts, remains a clinical challenge. Although cross-sectional imaging remains the cornerstone of the initial evaluation of an indeterminate pancreatic lesion, advances in imaging with the advent of endoscopic ultrasound scan, elastography, contrast-enhanced endoscopic ultrasound scan, and probe-based confocal laser endomicroscopy have allowed us to visualize the pancreas in even higher resolution and diagnose premalignant and malignant lesions of the pancreas with improved accuracy. This report reviews the range of imaging tools currently available to evaluate pancreatic lesions, from solid tumors to pancreatic cysts.

Keywords: Contrast-enhanced harmonic endoscopic ultrasound; Elastography; Endoscopic ultrasound; Intraductal pancreatic mucinous neoplasm; Mucinous cystic neoplasm; Probe-based confocal endomicroscopy; Serous cystic neoplasm.