The value of multidetector-row CT in the preoperative detection of pancreatic insulinomas.
OBJECTIVE
The authors sought to quantitatively analyse enhancement characteristics of pancreatic insulinomas in different phases and determine the value of multidetector-row computed tomography (CT) for detecting insulinomas.


METHODS
Forty-six patients with surgically proven insulinomas diagnosed between 2002 and 2007 were retrospectively reviewed. These patients underwent single-phase (group 1) or dual-phase (group 2) helical CT scanning.


RESULTS
Sensitivity for detecting insulinomas in group 2 was superior to that in group 1 (p<0.05).The sensitivity for insulinoma detection in the arterial phase was superior to that in the portal-venous phase (p<0.05). The mean attenuation values of the insulinomas and normal pancreas during the unenhanced arterial and portal-venous phases were, respectively, 40.5+/-8.75 HU (Hounsfield units), 114.48+/-27.30 HU, 112.19+/-19.52 HU and 44.56+/-6.48 HU, 81.16+/-15.22 HU, 90.54+/-13.80 HU, and there was statistical difference between them (p=0.000). The contrast enhancement of insulinomas in the arterial and portal-venous phases was 74.03+/-29.51 HU and 70.90+/-21.93 HU, respectively, and there was no statistical difference between them (p=0.499). The tumour to normal-pancreas attenuation differences in the arterial and portal-venous phases were respectively 33.32+/-20.96 HU and 20.58+/-16.32 HU, respectively, and there was statistical difference between them (p=0.011).


CONCLUSIONS
Dual-phase CT has a promising sensitivity in detecting pancreatic insulinomas. The acquisition of images in the arterial phase is more helpful for detecting insulinomas.
Liu
Y
Y
Department of Radiology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, No. 197, Ruijin Er Road, Shanghai, 200025, China.
Song
Q
Q
Jin
H T
HT
Lin
X Z
XZ
Chen
K M
KM
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007340:Insulinoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D057234:Preoperative Period; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed