Spectral CT Imaging in Differentiating Pancreatic Carcinoma and Mass-forming Focal Pancreatitis / 中国医学影像学杂志

ABSTRACT

Purpose To explore the value of spectral CT imaging in differentiating pancreatic carcinoma and mass-forming pancreatitis, and to improve the preoperative diagnosis accuracy. Materials and Methods The dual-phase spectral CT imaging data in patients with pathology-proven pancreatic carcinoma (n=62) and mass-forming pancreatitis (n=30) were retrospectively analyzed. At 40-140 keV (with 10 keV increment), the mean CT values, energy spectrum curves and iodine concentrations were measured and compared between pancreatic carcinoma and mass-forming pancreatitis in arterial phase and portal venous phase. Results The mean CT values of mass-forming pancreatitis at 40-140 keV were higher than pancreatic carcinoma in both arterial phase and portal venous phase with significant difference (t= -7.349- -4.810, P<0.05; t= -6.760- -5.496, P<0.05). The energy spectrum curves were significantly different between pancreatic carcinoma and mass-forming focal pancreatitis, especially at 40-70 keV. The iodine concentrations of pancreatic carcinoma were lower than mass-forming pancreatitis in arterial phase and portal venous phase with significant difference (t=-28.577, P<0.05; t= -28.451, P<0.05). Conclusion Pancreatic carcinoma and mass-forming pancreatitis can be differentiated by measuring the CT value at different energies, energy spectrum curves and iodine concentrations.