Role of radiology in pancreatic disorders

ABSTRACT

To find out mode of presentation and role of image modalities in pancreatic lesions in patients referred to radiology department. Prospective study. Radiology departments of CMH Muzaffarabad and CMH Sialkot from Jan 2003 to Jan 2006. This study was conducted at CMH Muzaffarabad in collaboration with Kashmir CT Scan installed at CMH Muzaffarabad and CMH Sialkot in collaboration with PVT-CT Scans. Radiology departments of CMH Muzaffarabad and CMH Sialkot are equipped with ultrasound and fluoroscopic facilities. We evaluated 50 patients of different pancreatic lesions referred to our radiology department. Pancreatic lesions were more common in men [70%] than women [30%]. Large group of patients [90%] belong to old age group. Out of 50 cases, 60% patients presented with jaundice, 20% with acute abdomen, 10% with mass abdomen and 10% with mixed symptoms. Ultrasonograph [USG] has been the main imaging modality in our study. All patients initially scanned with USG, patients diagnosed as mass pancreas on USG were advised CT scan, percutaneous transhepatic cholangiogram [PTC]/endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatogram [ERCP], and USG guided FNAC. In 15 [30%] cases ultrasound was inconclusive, in 10 patients pancreas was not clearly visualized and in 05 cases pancreas was normal looking. CT scan is more sensitive in picking up pancreatic lesions. CT scan was done in 24 [48%] patients. The results are shows in table. In our study 26 [52%] patients were of pancreatitis [Acute/chronic] and 20 [40%] of growth pancreas, 04 [8%] misc. cases [Divisum pancreas 02, annular pancreas 01, retropancreatic haemangioma 01]. It is concluded that pancreatic lesions present as acute abdomen, mass epigastrium and jaundice. In our set up USG is the main imaging modality to diagnose the pancreatic lesions. CT scan, PTC and ultrasound guided FNAC used as complementary tool