MDCT findings and characteristics of metastatic pancreatic tumors / 中华胰腺病杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To evaluate MDCT findings and characteristics of metastatic pancreatic tumors. Methods A total of 23 cases with metastatic pancreatic tumors were collected and the CT findings including the size, number, location, density patterns, enhancement patterns and secondary signs (dilatation of the pancreatic duct and/or bile duct, involvement of peripancreatic vessels, atrophy of distal pancreas) were analyzed retrospectively. Results A total of 35 metastatic pancreatic tumors were identified in the 23 patients. Tumors were multiple in 7 patients, the other 16 patients had single metastatic pancreatic tumor. The mean maximum diameter of the tumors was 3. 3 cm; the majority was located in the pancreatic body/tail. Thirty tumors demonstrated no enhancement in the arterial phase, and in the portal phase 23 tumors were hypodensive compared with normal pancreatic tissue, 4 tumors were isodense and 3 tumors showed a peripheral rim of enhancement. Five tumors showed markedly enhancement in the arterial and portal phase. Only 1 patients had dilated biliary and pancreatic duct, and 2 patients had dilated pancreatic duct. Only 1 case demonstrated involvement of splenic vein. 13 of the 23 patients had extra-pancreatic metastasis. Conclusions Pancreatic metastasis showed certain imaging characteristics. The accuracy of CT diagnosis could be improved by understanding of these CT findings and clinical features.