[Imaging of primary carcinoid tumor of the pancreas].
OBJECTIVE
To describe the imaging features of primary carcinoid tumors of the pancreas. Materials and Methods. The sonographic and computed tomographic examinations of six patients with pathologically proven primary carcinoid tumor of the pancreas were retrospectively reviewed.


RESULTS
In all cases, sonography showed hypoechoic and well circumscribed tumors. CT scan demonstrated hypoattenuating tumors on noncontrast images, with variable enhancement on postcontrast images. Small tumors (less than 2cm in diameter) were homogeneous whereas larger tumors were heterogeneous with areas of cystic necrosis. In two cases, enlarged lymph nodes were found in association with ascitis. In one case, hepatic metastases were present.


CONCLUSIONS
Primary carcinoid tumors of the pancreas display various and non specific imaging features. Small tumors are likely to be homogeneous and hypervascular whereas larger tumors are heterogeneous and hypovascular.
Dahan
H
H
Service de Radiologie Viscérale et Vasculaire, Hôpital Lariboisière AP-HP, 2, rue Ambroise Paré, 75475 Paris cedex 10. henri.dahan@lrb.ap-hop-paris.fr
Soyer
P
P
Cochand-Priollet
B
B
Abitbol
M
M
Coumbaras
J
J
Pelage
J P
JP
Boudiaf
M
M
Rymer
R
R
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002276:Carcinoid Tumor / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011859:Radiography; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014463:Ultrasonography