Spiral CT localization of pancreatic functioning islet cell tumors.
BACKGROUND
Surgeons are always concerned about the localization of pancreatic functioning islet cell tumor. If the tumor is accurately localized before operation, resection of the pancreatic body and tail without intention can be avoided. The purpose of this study was to evaluate spiral CT localization of pancreatic functioning islet cell tumors and CT techniques.


METHODS
CT manifestations in 6 patients with clinically and pathologically proved pancreatic functioning islet cell tumors were analyzed retrospectively.


RESULTS
In 4 patients with insulinomas and 2 patients with glucagonomas, 5 were localized accurately by CT before surgery and 1 was detected retrospectively. The enhancement of tumors was greater than that of normal pancreas in arterial phase and pancreatic parenchymal phase. Four patients showed mild high-density and 2, iso-density in the portal venous phase.


CONCLUSIONS
Spiral CT multi-phase enhanced scan with 1.5 ml/kg contrast agent and 2-5 mm slice width can localize functioning islet cell tumors accurately.
Xu
Qing
Q
Department of Radiology, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China. xuqingst@163.com
Chen
Wen-Hua
WH
Huang
Qing-Juan
QJ
D007516:Adenoma, Islet Cell / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005935:Glucagonoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D007340:Insulinoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D036542:Tomography, Spiral Computed / Q000592:standards