Short pancreas: evaluation with multi-detector row CT.

Publication/Presentation Date

11-1-2010

Abstract

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to analyze the length variations of the pancreas using computed tomography (CT) and establish a database for short pancreas.

METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed CT examinations of 228 adults and rated pancreatic lengths qualitatively on a scale of 1-3 using transverse images. 1, normal pancreas length; 2, mildly short pancreas; and 3, markedly short pancreas. The length of the pancreas from head to tail was also measured using the "curved line tool" through the midline of the organ on curved planar reconstructed (CPR) images. The pancreatic neck-tail length and the abdominal radius were measured on transverse images, and the ratio of pancreatic neck-tail length to abdominal radius was calculated to avoid the effect of body mass differences. All data were analyzed statistically.

RESULTS: The pancreas length was normal (group 1) in 180 (78.9%) patients, mildly short (group 2) in 38 (16.7%), and markedly short (group 3) in 10 (4.4%). The average pancreatic length on CPR evaluation was 207.5 ± 19.1 mm in group 1, 168.9 ± 8.5 mm in group 2, and 135.1 ± 10.7 mm in group 3. There were statistically significant differences between three groups. Although it was not statistically significant, percentage of diabetes mellitus was higher in group 3 (20%) than other two groups (13.2% in group 2, and 8.9% in group 1).

CONCLUSIONS: CT examination of the pancreas is an effective imaging method to classify the pancreatic length and to detect short pancreas. We suggest that pancreatic length variations should be reported on routine abdominal CT examinations.

Volume

32

Issue

9

First Page

853

Last Page

858

ISSN

1279-8517

Disciplines

Diagnosis | Medicine and Health Sciences | Other Analytical, Diagnostic and Therapeutic Techniques and Equipment | Radiology

PubMedID

20165948

Department(s)

Department of Radiology and Diagnostic Medical Imaging

Document Type

Article

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