title: Filling defects in the pancreatic duct on endoscopic retrograde pancreatography.
abstract: Filling defects in the pancreatic duct are a frequent finding during endoscopic retrograde pancreatography (ERP) and have a variety of causes. Some filling defects may be artifactual or related to technical factors and, once their origin is recognized, can be disregarded. Others may be due to acute changes of pancreatitis and should prompt more careful injection of contrast material into the duct. Intraluminal masses may represent calculi or a neoplasm, either of which may require surgery or endoscopic intervention. The exact nature of these filling defects may not be apparent on radiographs, and other studies may be needed. This article reviews our approach to the evaluation of filling defects in the pancreatic duct.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital, Milwaukee 53226.
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Taylor
authors.forename: T J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Carmody
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Schmalz
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Wiedmeyer
authors.forename: E T
authors.initials: ET
authors.lastname: Stewart
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016477:Artifacts; D002760:Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010182:Pancreatic Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D010183:Pancreatic Ducts / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D010195:Pancreatitis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging