ROLE OF MULTI–SLICE COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY (MSCT) IN DIADNOSIS OF INFLAMMATORY PANCREATIC DISEASES

Abstract

Pancreatic diseases are a highly morbid set of conditions that requires prompt diagnosis and treatment. Pancreatic disease spans congenital anomalies, such as annular pancreas, agenesis of the dorsal pancreas and pancreatic divisum. Acquired diseases, include pancreatitis and neoplasms either benign or malignant. However, Imaging of the pancreas is challenging because of its anatomic location in the retroperitoneum and its intricate relationship with major blood vessels and bowel. So it became mandatory to have multiphasic and multiplanar imaging of the pancreas.

Advantages of MDCT which include high spatial resolution, rapid data acquisition and various postprocessing techniques, are suited perfectly for imaging of the pancreas and the complex peripancreatic anatomy. Excellent visualization of the pancreatic parenchyma in various phases of contrast enhancement facilitates early detection of small pancreatic lesions. Postprocessing techniques not only facilitate accurate staging of pancreatic cancer but also provide a vascular road map for the operating surgeon.