title: MRI and MRCP findings of the pancreas in patients with diabetes mellitus: compared analysis with pancreatic exocrine function determined by fecal elastase 1.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To review magnetic resonance imaging and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) findings in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM), with pancreatic exocrine insufficiency, and with combined pancreatic exocrine insufficiency and DM.
  
  
  METHODS
  MRI/MRCP findings of 82 consecutive patients with DM (n=28), pancreatic exocrine insufficiency (n=25), and combination of both (n=29) were evaluated and compared with MRI/MRCP findings of 21 healthy volunteers with normal pancreatic exocrine function. Pancreatic exocrine function was determined by fecal elastase 1. MRCP images were evaluated according to the Cambridge classification. MRI of the pancreas was assessed for pancreatic size, signal intensity ratio (SIR), and arterial/venous enhancement ratio (A/V).
  
  
  RESULTS
  On MRI, significant difference was present in terms of mean values of pancreatic size (P<0.0001), A/V (P<0.02), and SIR (P<0.005) between the control group and groups of patients with DM, pancreatic exocrine insufficiency, and combined DM and pancreatic exocrine insufficiency. No significant difference was observed between groups of patients with DM and pancreatic exocrine function alone in terms of pancreatic size, A/V, and SIR. Chronic pancreatitis MRCP findings were present with increasing frequency in groups of DM, pancreatic exocrine insufficiency, and combination of both.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  MRI/MRCP findings suggesting chronic pancreatitis may exist in patients with DM comparable to patients with pancreatic exocrine insufficiency. The frequency and severity of MRI/MRCP findings increase when the patients have combined DM and pancreatic exocrine insufficiency.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, University Hospital Giessen and Marburg, Giessen, Germany.
authors.forename: Mehmet
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bilgin
authors.forename: Numan Cem
authors.initials: NC
authors.lastname: Balci
authors.forename: Amir Javad
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Momtahen
authors.forename: Yaşar
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Bilgin
authors.forename: Hans-Ulrich
authors.initials: HU
authors.lastname: Klör
authors.forename: Wigbert S
authors.initials: WS
authors.lastname: Rau
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D049448:Cholangiopancreatography, Magnetic Resonance / Q000379:methods*; D048909:Diabetes Complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology; D010188:Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology; D005243:Feces / Q000201:enzymology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010179:Pancreas / Q000473:pathology*; D010196:Pancreatic Elastase / Q000032:analysis*; D010186:Pancreatic Function Tests; D050500:Pancreatitis, Chronic / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D010196:Pancreatic Elastase