title: Cystic pancreatic tumors: CT and sonographic assessment.
abstract: Thirty-five CT scans and 23 sonograms of 45 pathologically proved pancreatic cystic neoplasms (16 microcystic adenomas, 17 mucinous [macrocystic] cystadenomas, and 12 mucinous [macrocystic] cystadenocarcinomas) in 43 patients were retrospectively and blindly reviewed. Radiologic findings and their usefulness in differentiating microcystic from mucinous subtypes were assessed. The number of cysts within the tumors (more than six in microcystic adenomas and six or fewer in mucinous cystadenomas and cystadenocarcinomas) and the diameter of the majority of cysts within the tumor (less than or equal to 2 cm in microcystic adenomas and greater than 2 cm in mucinous tumors) were the most helpful radiologic findings in differentiating tumor types. Calcification was present in 38% of microcystic adenomas, 18% of mucinous cystadenomas, and 8% of mucinous cystadenocarcinomas by CT. Calcification was not definitely identified on any of the sonograms. A central scar was identified in only two (13%) of 16 microcystic adenomas. Blind retrospective review was often able to correctly classify tumors as either microcystic (CT, 93%; sonography, 78%) or mucinous (CT, 95%; sonography, 93%). All tumors with a typical appearance on either CT or sonography were categorized correctly. Cystic pancreatic tumors may be difficult to prospectively separate from other types of pancreatic cysts. Assuming a cystic neoplasm is present, it often can be classified correctly as microcystic or mucinous (macrocystic) by using the above criteria.
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905.
authors.forename: C D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.forename: D H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Stephens
authors.forename: J W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Charboneau
authors.forename: H A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Carpenter
authors.forename: T J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Welch
mesh_terms: D000236:Adenoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003536:Cystadenocarcinoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D003537:Cystadenoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D003560:Cysts / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014463:Ultrasonography