Dados do Trabalho

Título

Advanced Pancreatic Image: 10 tips and tricks

Introdução e objetivo(s)

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and other pancreatic conditions can be very difficult to diagnose and be a real challenge even to an experienced radiologist.
The purpose of this exhibit is to present, through a serie of challenging cases, the direct and indirect signs of focal and diffuse pancreatic disease, and how can the radiologist help to establish the correct diagnosis using different imaging methods, such as Ultrasound (US), Computed Tomography (CT), Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Positron Emission Tomography (PET) CT.

Método(s)

A pictorial essay based on cases selected from our institutional medical records, including illustrative tips and tricks of pancreatic imaging, like:
- Careful evaluation of main pancreatic duct or biliary tree dilation;
- Importance of the T1-weighted images to evaluate the pancreatic parenchyma;
- Look for asymmetrical parenchyma atrophy;
- Pay attention to abnormalities involving the surrounding vessels;
- Search for secondary lesions if uncertain about malignancy (such as liver and lymph nodes).
We will also address cases of pancreatic neoplasms and inflammatory conditions, with subtle findings that should raise a suspicion for a pancreatic disease; brief review of pancreatic anatomy with multimodality imaging; image assessment of PDAC, with its features spectrum and tricky findings; importance of imaging for staging and resectability evaluation; other challenging cases in pancreatic cancer imaging, which the radiologist expertise is crucial to the correct management of disease.

Discussão

Pancreatic adenocarcinoma is a solid tumor that has a bad prognosis and the only treatment that can be curative is surgery. The tumor is diagnosed, in the vast majority of patients, at an advanced stage, often accompanied by metastatic disease.
The introduction of modern diagnostic methods associated with the improvement of existing ones has helped to combat this disease.

Conclusões

PDAC has a high mortality rate, which is directly related to the time of diagnosis of this condition. The role of the radiologist in early detection is extremely important for a more favorable outcome for these patients.

Palavras Chave

neoplasias pancreáticas

Arquivos

Área

Abdominal/ Trato Digestório