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Vlăduț C, Steiner C, Löhr M, Gökçe DT, Maisonneuve P, Hank T, Öhlund D, Sund M, Hoogenboom SA. High prevalence of pancreatic steatosis in pancreatic cancer patients: A meta-analysis and systematic review. Pancreatology 2025; 25:98-107. [PMID: 39706752 DOI: 10.1016/j.pan.2024.11.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2024] [Revised: 11/09/2024] [Accepted: 11/12/2024] [Indexed: 12/23/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE In the last decade there has been increasing interest in defining pancreatic steatosis (PS) and establishing its association with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). However, no consensus guidelines have yet been published on the management of PS. In this systematic review and meta-analysis performed according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, we investigated the association between PS and PDAC. DESIGN Medical literature between 2007 and 2023 was reviewed for eligible trials investigating the prevalence of PS in patients with PDAC. Eligible studies reporting on PS, assessed via imaging or histology, were included. The primary objective was to determine the association between PDAC and PS by comparing the prevalence of PS in individuals with- and without PDAC. Secondary, an evaluation was conducted to establish whether the method of assessment correlated with the association of PDAC and PS, and the prevalence of PDAC in individuals with PS. Measures of effect size were determined using odds ratios (ORs) and corresponding 95 % confidence intervals (95 % CI). RESULTS The systematic review identified a total of 23 studies, of which seventeen studies examined PS prevalence among PDAC patients and were included in the meta-analysis. Overall, the pooled prevalence of PS in patients with PDAC was 53.6 % (95 % CI 40.9-66.2). No significant difference in PS prevalence was observed across various diagnostic methods or geographical regions. Overall, the pooled OR for PS in patients with PDAC compared to controls was 3.23 (95 % CI 1.86-5.60). CONCLUSIONS PDAC patients have a high prevalence of PS, and they are significantly more likely to have PS compared to controls. These findings emphasize the need to prioritize a standardized approach to the diagnosis, follow-up, and treatment of PS, with future studies focusing on identifying patients who would benefit from PDAC surveillance programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cătălina Vlăduț
- Department of Gastroenterology, "Prof Dr Agrippa Ionescu" Clinical Emergency Hospital, 011356 Bucharest, Romania; Faculty of Medicine, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania.
| | | | - Matthias Löhr
- Department of Upper Abdominal Diseases, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Clinical Science, Intervention, and Technology (CLINTEC), Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Dilara Turan Gökçe
- Department of Gastroenterology, Ankara Bilkent City Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.
| | - Patrick Maisonneuve
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, IEO European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy.
| | - Thomas Hank
- Department of General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - Daniel Öhlund
- Department of Diagnostics and Intervention (oncology) and Wallenberg Centre of Molecular Medicine (WCMM), Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden.
| | - Malin Sund
- Department of Diagnostics and Intervention (surgery), Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden; Department of Surgery, University of Helsinki and Helsinki, University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland.
| | - Sanne A Hoogenboom
- Department of Gastroenterology, HagaZiekenhuis Hospital, The Hague, Netherlands.
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Chen Z, Wang H, Jiang T. Value of Two-Dimensional Shear-Wave Elastography in Differentiating Pancreatic Steatosis From Pancreatic Fibrosis. JOURNAL OF ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE : OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE 2024; 43:2119-2127. [PMID: 39152758 DOI: 10.1002/jum.16541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2024] [Revised: 07/20/2024] [Accepted: 07/22/2024] [Indexed: 08/19/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Pancreatic steatosis (PS) and pancreatic fibrosis (PF) both show increased pancreatic echogenicity on conventional B-mode ultrasound. In this study, we assessed the applicability of two-dimensional shear-wave elastography (2D-SWE) for their discrimination. METHODS We gathered data from 120 adults with valid 2D-SWE measurements, comprising 40 healthy individuals, 55 individuals diagnosed with PS via non-enhanced computed tomography (CT), and 25 patients clinically diagnosed with non-calcific chronic pancreatitis. The participants were divided into three groups: normal pancreas (NP), PS, and PF. pancreatic echogenicity, pancreatic stiffness, and CT values between groups were analyzed. RESULTS The 2D-SWE and CT values among the NP, PS, and PF groups all showed significant differences (P < .001). For the diagnosis of PS and PF using 2D-SWE, the area under the curve (AUC) values were 0.9100 and 0.9940, respectively, with optimal cut-off values of 5.7 kPa for predicting PS and 8.2 kPa for predicting PF. CONCLUSIONS The 2D-SWE technique enabled rapid and quantitative assessment of the hardness of hyperechoic pancreas visualized on conventional B-mode ultrasound, which holds certain value in distinguishing PS from PF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenzhen Chen
- Department of Ultrasound, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Huiyang Wang
- Department of Ultrasound, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Tian'an Jiang
- Department of Ultrasound, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Pulsed Electric Field Technology for Medical Transformation of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
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Meier J, Lucius C, Möller K, Jenssen C, Zervides C, Gschmack AM, Dong Y, Srivastava D, Dietrich CF. Pancreatic ultrasound: An update of measurements, reference values, and variations of the pancreas. Ultrasound Int Open 2024; 10:a23899085. [PMID: 39411753 PMCID: PMC11475099 DOI: 10.1055/a-2389-9085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2024] [Indexed: 10/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Reliable and reproducible measurement methods have been established, and reference values are used in almost all scientific disciplines. Knowledge of reference values is crucial to distinguish physiological from pathological processes and, therefore, subsequently, for the clinical management of patients. Image storage and documentation of measurements and normal findings should be part of quality assurance in imaging. This paper aims to review the published literature and provide current knowledge of sonographic measurements and reference values of the pancreas. Moreover, the role of clinical influencing factors such as age, gender, constitution, and ethnicity is also analyzed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Meier
- Department General Internal Medicine, Hirslanden Hospital Beau Site,
Bern, Switzerland
| | - Claudia Lucius
- Outpatient Department of Gastroenterology, IBD center, Policlinic
Helios Klinikum Buch, Berlin, Germany
| | - Kathleen Möller
- Medical Department I/Gastroenterology, Sana Hospital,
Berlin, Germany
| | - Christian Jenssen
- Department of Internal Medicine, Hospital Maerkisch Oderland,
Strausberg, Germany and Brandenburg Institute for Clinical Ultrasound,
Neuruppin, Germany
| | | | | | - Yi Dong
- Department of Ultrasound, Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to
Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - David Srivastava
- Department of Emergency Medicine Inselspital, University Hospital Bern,
University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Christoph F. Dietrich
- Department General Internal Medicine, Hirslanden Hospital Beau Site,
Bern, Switzerland
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4
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Zhang CL, Wang JJ, Li JN, Yang Y. Nonalcoholic fatty pancreas disease: An emerging clinical challenge. World J Clin Cases 2021; 9:6624-6638. [PMID: 34447810 PMCID: PMC8362510 DOI: 10.12998/wjcc.v9.i23.6624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2021] [Revised: 05/20/2021] [Accepted: 06/01/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Nonalcoholic fatty pancreas disease (NAFPD) is an emerging disease that has gained an increasing amount of attention in recent years. It describes fat accumulation in the pancreas with insignificant alcohol consumption, but the pathogenesis is largely unknown. A wide range of terms have been used to describe the phenomenon of pancreatic fat accumulation, but NAFPD remains an under-recognized and non-independent disorder. Obesity, age, sex, race, and unhealthy lifestyle are established independent risk factors for NAFPD, which is strongly associated with metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, pancreatitis, pancreatic fistula, pancreatic cancer, and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. At present, imaging techniques are common diagnostic aids, but uniform criteria and consensus are lacking. Therapeutically, healthy diet, weight loss, and exercise are the mainstays to reduce pancreatic fat accumulation. It can be seen that there is a limited understanding of NAFPD at this stage and further exploration is needed. Previous studies have revealed that NAFPD may directly affect diagnosis and clinical decision-making. Therefore, exploring the pathophysiological mechanism and clinical associations of NAFPD is a major challenge for researchers and clinicians.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng-Lei Zhang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan 750004, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, China
- The Institute of Endocrinology, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan 750004, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, China
| | - Jing-Jiao Wang
- Department of Stomatology, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan 750004, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, China
| | - Jian-Ning Li
- The Institute of Endocrinology, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan 750004, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, China
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan 750004, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, China
| | - Yi Yang
- The Institute of Endocrinology, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan 750004, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, China
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan 750004, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, China
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Guglielmi V, Sbraccia P. Type 2 diabetes: Does pancreatic fat really matter? Diabetes Metab Res Rev 2018; 34. [PMID: 28984071 DOI: 10.1002/dmrr.2955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2017] [Revised: 08/30/2017] [Accepted: 09/25/2017] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
With the increasing prevalence of obesity, the interest of research in nonalcoholic fatty pancreas disease (NAFPD) has grown. Even though the pancreas appears more susceptible to lipid accumulation compared with the liver, NAFPD has been less investigated due to the limits in detecting techniques. Several definitions and synonyms for NAFPD are used by authors and can be misleading. This, together with differences in methodology and ethnicity, make the integration and comparison of studies on this topic challenging. NAFPD could be used as an early indicator of ectopic fat deposition, which is recognized as a key factor of obesity cardio-metabolic complications. However, evidence that NAFPD has a pathogenetic role in type 2 diabetes is also emerging. This article reviews the current state of knowledge on the clinical and pathophysiologic relevance of NAFPD in β-cell function and insulin resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valeria Guglielmi
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
- Internal Medicine Unit and Obesity Center, University Hospital Policlinico Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Paolo Sbraccia
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
- Internal Medicine Unit and Obesity Center, University Hospital Policlinico Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
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Löhr JM, Haas S. Can a polymorphism in the thalassemia gene and a heterozygote CFTR mutation cause acute pancreatitis? World J Clin Cases 2014; 2:62-66. [PMID: 24653987 PMCID: PMC3955802 DOI: 10.12998/wjcc.v2.i3.62] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2013] [Revised: 12/10/2013] [Accepted: 01/16/2014] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The case of a 32-year-old black woman of African descent who suffered from repeated episodes of acute pancreatitis, initially triggered when flying on airplanes, is reported. She did not drink alcohol or smoke. Genetic analysis was negative for cationic trypsinogen, serine protease inhibitor Kazal type 1 and chymotrypsin C. However, hemoglobin F was elevated. Sequencing of the thalassemia gene revealed a novel alteration in the 5’ region indicative of a functional abnormality of the molecule. Sequencing the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene revealed a heterozygote sequence variant. The combination of a hemoglobin gene mutation known for thalassemia in conjunction with the hitherto undescribed CFTR mutation is suggested to pave the road for initial and repetitive pancreatitis attacks. This will be discussed.
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Abstract
More research is now focused on pancreatic steatosis. Multiple definitions, clinical associations and synonyms for pancreatic steatosis are described in the literature and can be confusing. The integration and comparison of several studies concerning this topic is therefore challenging. In the past, pancreatic steatosis was considered an innocuous condition, a bystander of many underlying diseases (such as congenital syndromes, hemochromatosis and viral infection). However, evidence that pancreatic steatosis (strongly associated with obesity and the metabolic syndrome) has a role in type 2 diabetes mellitus, pancreatic exocrine dysfunction, acute pancreatitis, pancreatic cancer and the formation of pancreatic fistula after pancreatic surgery is emerging. This Review focuses on the different etiological factors and the clinical consequences of pancreatic steatosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark M Smits
- Department of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Vrije Universiteit University Medical Center, De Boelelaan 1117, Amsterdam, 1081 HV, The Netherlands.
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Ruggiero A, Molinari F, Coccia P, Attinà G, Maurizi P, Riccardi R, Bonomo L. MRI findings in Shwachman diamond syndrome. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2008; 50:352-4. [PMID: 17183583 DOI: 10.1002/pbc.21109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Shwachman Diamond Syndrome (SDS) is a rare congenital disorder characterized by pancreatic insufficiency, bone marrow dysfunction, and skeletal changes. Because of the heterogeneous clinical presentation and the limits of laboratory tests that assess pancreatic insufficiency, the diagnosis of SDS can be challenging. Pancreatic lipomatosis, a typical feature of this syndrome, is also difficult to assess by direct tissue sampling. In these circumstances, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) provides a readily available, noninvasive tool to evaluate the pancreatic fat content. We report a case of a 12-month-old male in which abdominal MRI was used to confirm the clinical diagnosis of SDS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Ruggiero
- Division of Pediatric Oncology, Catholic University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
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Adachi M, Tachibana K, Asakura Y, Aida N. Usefulness of pancreatic ultrasonography in the diagnosis of Shwachman-Bodian-Diamond syndrome. Acta Paediatr 2005; 94:1686-90. [PMID: 16303713 DOI: 10.1080/08035250510034932] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
AIM To evaluate the usefulness of pancreatic ultrasonography in diagnosing Shwachman-Bodian-Diamond syndrome (SBDS). METHODS Diagnostic methods in two infants with SBDS were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS Patient 1 first presented with hepatic steatosis in the early infantile period, and later developed myelodysplastic syndrome. Patient 2 presented with frequent infections and elevated liver function tests without any haematological alterations. Both patients were considered to have impaired exocrine pancreatic function. Abdominal ultrasonography (US) obtained at 9 mo for patient 1 and at 10 mo for patient 2 showed diffuse high echogenicity, which raised suspicions of SBDS. SBDS gene analysis confirmed SBDS in both patients. CONCLUSION Pancreatic US is sensitive in detecting pathological change in SBDS patients. It should be applied to the diagnostic approach for patients who show only minor signs of SBDS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masanori Adachi
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Clinical Research Institute, Kanagawa Children's Medical Centre, Yokohama, Japan
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10
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Dietrich CF, Chichakli M, Hirche TO, Bargon J, Leitzmann P, Wagner TO, Lembcke B. Sonographic findings of the hepatobiliary-pancreatic system in adult patients with cystic fibrosis. JOURNAL OF ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE : OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE 2002; 21:409-417. [PMID: 11934098 DOI: 10.7863/jum.2002.21.4.409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Sonography of the liver, biliary system, and pancreas in adult patients with cystic fibrosis is by far less systematically documented than in pediatric patients with cystic fibrosis. In this prospective study, duplex sonographic findings of the liver, biliary system, and pancreas in adult patients with cystic fibrosis were compared with those of healthy control subjects. METHODS Seventy-two consecutive patients with cystic fibrosis and 60 healthy control subjects were examined by high-resolution sonography. The incidence of perihepatic lymphadenopathy, the hepatic echo pattern, the detection rate of liver tumors, the flow patterns in the hepatic and portal veins, and pathologic gallbladder and pancreas findings were recorded. Additionally, cholestasis-indicating enzyme levels (gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase and alkaline phosphatase), liver function test results (alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase levels), and amylase and lipase levels were recorded as well. RESULTS Patients with cystic fibrosis, when compared with healthy subjects on sonographic examination, had a higher incidence of microgallbladder (25% versus 0%) and cystic lesions of the pancreas (18% versus 0%). The number of abnormal echo patterns of the liver was increased (46% versus 15%), with a higher incidence of a nontriphasic flow pattern in the right hepatic vein. The differences proved to be statistically significant (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS Typical sonographic findings in adult patients with cystic fibrosis are a microgallbladder and small cystic lesions of the pancreas. Pathologic findings of the liver can be shown by B-mode and duplex sonography, but the resulting patterns are less characteristic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christoph F Dietrich
- Medizinische Klinik II, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität, Frankfurt/Main, Germany
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11
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Theochari M, Ioannidou D, Nounopoulos H, Bouloukos A, Papadogiannis M, Katsikari M, Karpathios T, Bartsocas CS. Ultrasonography of the pancreas, as a function index, in children with beta-thalassemia. J Pediatr Endocrinol Metab 2000; 13:303-6. [PMID: 10714756 DOI: 10.1515/jpem.2000.13.3.303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Increased echogenicity of the pancreas, due to hemosiderosis, is a frequent laboratory finding in children and adolescents with beta-thalassemia. The aim of this study was to investigate whether increased echogenicity of the pancreas is associated with dysfunction. The ultrasonic image of the pancreas was examined in 34 children aged 12+/-3.8 years old and was compared to the endocrine and exocrine functioning of the gland. Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was performed with simultaneous measurement of insulin and serum trypsin. Twenty-six of the 34 patients (76.5%) presented increased echogenicity, while 8 (23.5%) had a normal ultrasonic pancreatic image. 77% of the patients with increased echogenicity had abnormal OGTT, 46%, with subnormal or increased insulin values, and 32.5% manifested low levels of trypsin. Among the patients with normal ultrasound, 25% had abnormal OGTT and 37.5% abnormal insulin values. Statistical analysis with Student's t-test revealed that patients with increased echogenicity had significantly higher glucose values on OGTT at 60: 7.6 +/- 1.8 mmol/l (137.3 +/- 33.7 mg/dl) as compared to the patients with normal ultrasound: 6.1 +/- 1.2 mmol/l (110.75 +/- 21.72 mg/dl) (p<0.05). Insulin values were significantly affected at 30, 60, and 90 min: 570+/-301, 332+/-156, 294+/-158 pmol/l (79.54 +/- 42, 46.4 +/- 21.8, 41.04 +/- 22 mU/l) respectively in patients with increased echogenicity in comparison to those with normal ultrasonographic image of the gland: 301 +/- 170, 192 +/- 52, 135 +/- 63 pmol/l (42 +/- 23.7, 26.85 +/- 7.36, 18.9 +/- 8.8 mU/l) (p<0.05). No statistical significance was observed between the two groups regarding trypsin levels, even though abnormal values were observed in more children with increased echogenicity than in patients with a normal ultrasound. The above findings confirm that increased echogenicity of the pancreas is associated with disturbance of its function. This simple imaging method could be used as a rough early index of detection of an increased risk for developing diabetes mellitus in patients with beta-thalassemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Theochari
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Nursing, University of Athens, P. & A. Kyriakou Children's Hospital, Greece
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Flyer MA, Haller JO, Sundaram R. Transfusional hemosiderosis in sickle cell anemia: another cause of an echogenic pancreas. Pediatr Radiol 1993; 23:140-2. [PMID: 8516039 DOI: 10.1007/bf02012409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
We report four sickle cell anemia patients who have received multiple blood transfusions and have been non-compliant on Desferal chelation therapy. Abdominal ultrasonography demonstrated an echogenic pancreas in all four patients. Magnetic resonance imaging in three patients revealed decreased signal intensity in all sequences in the pancreas and liver. All four patients had marked iron deposition on liver biopsy. To our knowledge, increased echogenicity of the pancreas secondary to hemosiderosis (2 degrees hemochromatosis) in sickle cell patients has not been reported in the radiologic literature.
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Affiliation(s)
- M A Flyer
- Department of Radiology, State University of New York, Health Science Center, Brooklyn 11203
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Abstract
Little information is available regarding pancreatic echogenicity in premature infants and neonates. We prospectively studied 65 patients (30 premature infants and 35 neonates) and compared pancreatic echogenicity to a control group of 25 infants and 35 older children. Pancreatic echogenicity was graded relative to hepatic echogenicity measured at a similar depth. In the premature infants and neonates the initial ultrasounds were hyperechoic in 71% compared to 5% in both control groups. Follow up ultrasounds were obtained in 73% of the premature infants and 17% of the neonates. The pancreatic echogenicity became isoechoic in 14 of 19 premature infants and 3 of 4 neonates in whom the initial ultrasound was hyperechoic. We conclude that the normal pancreatic echogenicity in premature infants and neonates is usually hyperechoic relative to liver. Pancreatic hyperechogenicity in premature infants and neonates is not necessarily indicative of disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Walsh
- Department of Radiology, and Pathology, Dr. Charles A. Janeway Child Health Centre, Memorial University, St. John's Newfoundland, Canada
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