CT features of colloid carcinomas of the pancreas.
BACKGROUND
Colloid carcinomas of the pancreas have better prognosis than ordinary ductal adenocarcinoma, and preoperative distinction of colloid carcinoma from other pancreatic tumors is valuable for patient therapeutic planning and prognosis assessment. However, data about CT features of colloid carcinoma are very limited. This study aimed to investigate the CT features of this tumor.


METHODS
Institutional review board approval was obtained for this study. Seven patients with pathologically proven colloid carcinoma of the pancreas were included. Unenhanced and dynamic enhanced CT was performed in all the patients. CT features were analyzed retrospectively and correlations with pathological findings were evaluated.


RESULTS
Mean age of the patients was 59.8 years (41 - 76 years). Five tumors were located in the pancreatic head, and the other two in body and tail respectively. The maximum mean diameter of the tumors on axial scanning was 3.9 cm (3.0 - 6.7 cm). Tumors were round (n = 5) and lobular (n = 2). Tumors appeared slight hyp-attenuation on unenhanced CT, and peripheral and internal meshlike progressive delayed enhancement with great percent of cystic areas on enhanced CT. Calcification and gas in the tumor was seen in one patient whose duodenum was invaded by the tumor.


CONCLUSIONS
Colloid carcinomas of the pancreas appear as round or labular masses with great percent of cystic areas and slight hyp-attenuation on unenhanced CT and peripheral and internal meshlike progressive delayed enhancement on enhanced CT.
Ren
Fang-yuan
FY
Department of Radiology, Lanzhou General Hospital of People's Liberation Army, Lanzhou, Gansu 730050, China.
Shao
Cheng-wei
CW
Zuo
Chang-jing
CJ
Lu
Jian-ping
JP
D002288:Adenocarcinoma, Mucinous / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*