Incidental pancreatic cysts on 3D turbo spin echo magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography: prevalence and relation with clinical and imaging features.
OBJECTIVE
To estimate the prevalence of incidental pancreatic cysts (IPCs) in asymptomatic patients addressed to magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP), and to correlate it with clinical and imaging features.


METHODS
Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography performed over 26-months on 152 patients with unsuspected/unknown pancreatic disease were reviewed to assess IPCs' features of presentation. Multivariate analysis was performed to evaluate the correlation of IPCs with clinical information and type of pancreaticobiliary findings at MRCP.


RESULTS
Prevalence of IPCs was 44.7%. Cysts sized 3-24 mm (mean, 6.08 mm), and were ≤4 in number in 83.8% of patients. Based on number, dimensions and relation with the main pancreatic duct, IPCs presented with intraductal-papillary-mucinous neoplasm (IPMN)-like or indeterminate patterns in 31.7% and 13.1% of patients, respectively. At follow-up on 24 patients, no evolution was found, except in one patient with proven IPMN showing increase in cysts number and dimensions (evolution rate of 4.1%). Features correlating with IPCs were age ≥60 years old, and history of autoimmune hepatobiliary disease, showing odds ratios of 5.95 (95% CI 2.77-12.79) and 0.13 (95% CI 0.04-0.44), respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Incidental pancreatic cysts represent a frequent finding at MRCP, correlating positively with increasing age, and negatively with biliary autoimmune disease. Cysts more frequently present with IPMN-like pattern.
Girometti
Rossano
R
Department of Medical and Morphological Research, Institute of Diagnostic Radiology, University of Udine, Udine, Italy. rgirometti@sirm.org
Intini
Sergio
S
Brondani
Giovanni
G
Como
Giuseppe
G
Londero
Francesco
F
Bresadola
Fabrizio
F
Zuiani
Chiara
C
Bazzocchi
Massimo
M
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D049448:Cholangiopancreatography, Magnetic Resonance / Q000379:methods; D003287:Contrast Media; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D033162:Incidental Findings; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008536:Meglumine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D008875:Middle Aged; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D010181:Pancreatic Cyst / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric
D003287:Contrast Media; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; C064572:gadobenic acid; D008536:Meglumine