Nonenhanced magnetic resonance imaging of mild acute pancreatitis.
BACKGROUND
Computed tomography (CT) is not always effective for demonstrating mild acute pancreatitis, and the intravenous administration of iodine contrast medium is harmful to the inflamed pancreas. The goal of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of nonenhanced magnetic resonance (MR) imaging for the depiction of mild acute pancreatitis.


METHODS
We performed T1-weighted imaging with a short echo time, T2-weighted imaging, and MR cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) in 12 patients with mild acute pancreatitis. Nonenhanced CT and contrast-enhanced CT were always performed before the MR studies.


RESULTS
T1- and T2-weighted MR images using a breath-hold or respiratory-triggered technique produced clearer images of the inflamed pancreas than did CT. Peripancreatic fat necrosis was shown by both methods. Although MRCP demonstrated no abnormalities of the pancreatic duct, it demonstrated stones in the gallbladder and common bile duct.


CONCLUSIONS
Nonenhanced MR imaging was superior to CT for depiction and confirmation of mild acute pancreatitis.
Amano
Y
Y
Department of Radiology, Nippon Medical School, 1-1-5 Sendagi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8603, Japan.
Oishi
T
T
Takahashi
M
M
Kumazaki
T
T
D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002758:Cholangiography; D003287:Contrast Media; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010195:Pancreatitis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
D003287:Contrast Media