Intraductal mucin-producing tumors of the pancreas: imaging findings.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the radiologic characteristics of intraductal mucin-producing tumors of the pancreas.


METHODS
Sixteen patients with intraductal tumors underwent ultrasound (US); (n = 15), computed tomography (CT); (n = 16), endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP); (n = 12), and intraoperative pancreatography (n = 2). Findings were compared with those from surgery (n = 14) or biopsy (n = 2).


RESULTS
Lesions were classified as either main duct type or branch duct type tumors. Main duct tumors were characterized at US and CT by either diffuse or segmental dilatation of the Wirsung duct. Pancreatography showed ductal dilatation and filling defects caused by mucin deposits. At US and CT, branch duct tumors, which were mainly located at the uncinate process, were seen as fluid-filled masses with central septa and the pancreatic duct was dilated. ERCP showed partial or complete opacification of the lesion. In four patients, endoscopy showed protrusion of the papilla into the duodenal lumen and mucin leaking from its dilated orifice.


CONCLUSIONS
Imaging modalities, especially US and ERCP, enable early diagnosis of mucin-producing pancreatic tumors.
Department of Radiology, University Hospital, Verona, Italy.
C
C
Procacci
R
R
Graziani
E
E
Bicego
I A
IA
Bergamo-Andreis
P
P
Mainardi
G
G
Zamboni
P
P
Pederzoli
G
G
Cavallini
M
M
Valdo
G F
GF
Pistolesi
D002288:Adenocarcinoma, Mucinous / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002760:Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009077:Mucins / Q000378:metabolism*; D010183:Pancreatic Ducts / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014463:Ultrasonography
D009077:Mucins