ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the CT imaging features of pancreatic fatty replacement and its clinical significance. Methods Three patients with pancreatic fatty replacement detected by CT were retrospectively analyzed. CT examination included plain scan and contrast-enhanced scanning at the arterial and portal venous phases. The shape, size, density, pancreatic lobulation and interlobular spaces, course of the pancreatic duct were carefully observed. The clinic and laboratory data were also analyzed to determine the clinical significance of pancreatic fatty replacement. Results ①Imaging features: Two patients had complete fatty replacement involving the entire pancreas, another one had most fatty replacement sparing the posterior aspect of head and tail. Two patients had regular configuration of pancreas. The size of pancreas was slightly enlarged in 2 patients. Lobular atrophy and widening of interlobular spaces were present in all 3 patients. The pancreatic duct was normal in 3 patients. ②Clinic findings: Chronic diarrhea was present in 3 patients. Two patiens had diabetes (one had chronic cholangitis with choledochal lithiasis), another one had small stone in the common bile duct. Serum lipase was low in 3 patients, of which one had low serum amylase. Conclusion Pancreatic fatty replacement demonstrates certain characteristic CT appearances, and is usually associated with disturbances of both the endocrine and exocrine functions of the pancreas.