Assessment of Pancreatic Lesions using MDCT: An Observational Study

Abstract

Background: Imaging is a vital component in the assessment of pancreatic disease. Computerized tomography (CT) became the imaging modality of choice in assessing pancreatic pathology. Improvements in multidetector CT (MDCT) and its better temporal and spatial resolution help in providing accurate timing of multiphasic imaging. In view of the high prevalence and mortality rate due to focal pancreatic lesions, early reliable diagnosis is vital and so this study was taken up. The objective of the study is to know the reliability of MDCT in focal pancreatic lesions.

Methods: This is a kind of observational study done on 100 patients with pancreatic lesions diagnosed clinically or as per ultrasonography (USG) at Fathima Institute of Medical Sciences, Kadapa, Andhra Pradesh, India. Demographic variables, USG findings, MDCT findings, histopathological examination (HPE) diagnosis, vascular and lymph nodal invasion, and metastasis were assessed. Diagnostic accuracy of MDCT was assessed by comparing it with HPE findings.

Results: Pseudocyst was found in 44% of patients, and Malignancy in the head of pancreas was seen in 14% of patients. Carcinoma in head and body was seen in 8%. Serous cystadenoma was seen in 8% of patients as per MDCT. MDCT was 100% accurate in detecting malignancy and IPMN. It was 90.9% accurate in detecting mucinous cystadenoma, 66.67% accurate in detecting serous cystadenoma, 86.36% accurate in detecting pseudocyst.

Conclusion: MDCT plays a vital role in detecting various pancreatic lesions, including malignancies. Early detection of these dangerous lesions accurately can help in proper clinical management of patients.