title: The utilization of imaging features in the management of intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms.
abstract: Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMNs) represent a group of cystic pancreatic neoplasms with large range of clinical behaviours, ranging from low-grade dysplasia or borderline lesions to invasive carcinomas. They can be grouped into lesions originating from the main pancreatic duct, main duct IPMNs (MD-IPMNs), and lesions which arise from secondary branches of parenchyma, denominated branch-duct IPMNs (BD-IPMNs). Management of these cystic lesions is essentially based on clinical and radiological features. The latter have been very well described in the last fifteen years, with many studies published in literature showing the main radiological features of IPMNs. Currently, the goal of imaging modalities is to identify "high-risk stigmata" or "worrisome feature" in the evaluation of pancreatic cysts. Marked dilatation of the main duct (>1 cm), large size (3-5 cm), and intramural nodules have been associated with increased risk of degeneration. BD-IPMNs could be observed as microcystic or macrocystic in appearance, with or without communication with main duct. Their imaging features are frequently overlapped with cystic neoplasms. The risk of progression for secondary IPMNs is lower, and subsequently an imaging based follow-up is very often proposed for these lesions.
authors.affiliation: Radiodiagnostic and Radiotherapy Unit, University Hospital "Policlinico-Vittorio Emanuele", Via Santa Sofia 78, 95123 Catania, Italy.
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Palmucci
authors.affiliation: Radiodiagnostic and Radiotherapy Unit, University Hospital "Policlinico-Vittorio Emanuele", Via Santa Sofia 78, 95123 Catania, Italy.
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Trombatore
authors.affiliation: Radiodiagnostic and Radiotherapy Unit, University Hospital "Policlinico-Vittorio Emanuele", Via Santa Sofia 78, 95123 Catania, Italy.
authors.forename: Pietro Valerio
authors.initials: PV
authors.lastname: Foti
authors.affiliation: Radiodiagnostic and Radiotherapy Unit, University Hospital "Policlinico-Vittorio Emanuele", Via Santa Sofia 78, 95123 Catania, Italy.
authors.forename: Letizia Antonella
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Mauro
authors.affiliation: Radiodiagnostic and Radiotherapy Unit, University Hospital "Policlinico-Vittorio Emanuele", Via Santa Sofia 78, 95123 Catania, Italy.
authors.forename: Pietro
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Milone
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical Sciences, Organ Transplantation and Advanced Technologies, University Hospital "Policlinico-Vittorio Emanuele", 95123 Catania, Italy.
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Milazzotto
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical Sciences, Organ Transplantation and Advanced Technologies, University Hospital "Policlinico-Vittorio Emanuele", 95123 Catania, Italy.
authors.forename: Rosalia
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Latino
authors.affiliation: Gastroenterology Unit, University Hospital "Policlinico-Vittorio Emanuele", 95123 Catania, Italy.
authors.forename: Giacomo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bonanno
authors.affiliation: Radiodiagnostic and Radiotherapy Unit, University Hospital "Policlinico-Vittorio Emanuele", Via Santa Sofia 78, 95123 Catania, Italy.
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Petrillo
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical Sciences, Organ Transplantation and Advanced Technologies, University Hospital "Policlinico-Vittorio Emanuele", 95123 Catania, Italy.
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Di Cataldo