title: [Diagnosis of gastroenterologic diseases with sonography. Part 3: Pancreas and spleen].
abstract: Ultrasonic assessment of the pancreas is rendered difficult by interposed gas-containing loops of bowel and stomach. In 50% of the cases, meteorism and ileus prevent the diagnosis of acute pancreatitis. In the case of chronic pancreatitis, focal pancreatitis and carcinoma of the pancreas, too, further diagnostic procedures (CT, ERCP, fine-needle aspiration) are required. As a rule, the caliber of the pancreatic duct can readily be assessed, and may, for example, indicate a carcinoma in the head of the pancreas. Splenomegaly and focal or diffuse parenchymal lesions are detectable by ultrasonography, although an etiological differentiation is not usually possible. The most common lesions are the so-called "bland" splenic cysts. Of importance is the diagnosis of rupture of the spleen, which requires immediate treatment.
authors.affiliation: Medizinische Klinik I mit Poliklinik, Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Heyder
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D010182:Pancreatic Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D010195:Pancreatitis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D013158:Splenic Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D013161:Splenic Rupture / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014463:Ultrasonography
vernacular_title: Diagnostik gastroenterologischer Erkrankungen mit der Sonographie. Teil 3: Pankreas und Milz.