Computed tomography and the dilated pancreatic duct: an ominous sign.
The main pancreatic duct has been visualized with both ultrasound and computed tomography. A normal pancreatic duct has not been reported using CT, and controversy persists over whether a normal duct can be routinely imaged with ultrasound. The dilated pancreatic duct has always been associated with disease -- usually pancreatitis or a proximal obstructing pancreatic carcinoma. In the patient with no clinical history or laboratory data suggesting pancreatitis, a dilated pancreatic duct implies a proximal tumor.
D000368:Aged; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004108:Dilatation, Pathologic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010183:Pancreatic Ducts / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D010195:Pancreatitis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed