title: Role of magnetic resonance imaging in the detection and characterization of solid pancreatic nodules: An update.
abstract: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma is the most common malignant tumor of the pancreas. The remaining pancreatic tumors are a diverse group of pancreatic neoplasms that comprises cystic pancreatic neoplasms, endocrine tumors and other uncommon pancreatic tumors. Due to the excellent soft tissue contrast resolution, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is frequently able to readily separate cystic from noncystic tumors. Cystic tumors are often easy to diagnose with MRI; however, noncystic non-adenocarcinoma tumors may show a wide spectrum of imaging features, which can potentially mimic ductal adenocarcinoma. MRI is a reliable technique for the characterization of pancreatic lesions. The implementation of novel motion-resistant pulse sequences and respiratory gating techniques, as well as the recognized benefits of MR cholangiopancreatography, make MRI a very accurate examination for the evaluation of pancreatic masses. MRI has the distinctive ability of non-invasive assessment of the pancreatic ducts, pancreatic parenchyma, neighbouring soft tissues, and vascular network in one examination. MRI can identify different characteristics of various solid pancreatic lesions, potentially allowing the differentiation of adenocarcinoma from other benign and malignant entities. In this review we describe the MRI protocols and MRI characteristics of various solid pancreatic lesions. Recognition of these characteristics may establish the right diagnosis or at least narrow the differential diagnosis, thus avoiding unnecessary tests or procedures and permitting better management.
authors.affiliation: Najwa Al Ansari, Valeria Buonocore, Silvia Gigli, Francesca Maccioni, Department of Radiological Sciences, Oncology and Pathology, Policlinico Umberto I Hospital Rome, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Najwa Al
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Ansari
authors.affiliation: Najwa Al Ansari, Valeria Buonocore, Silvia Gigli, Francesca Maccioni, Department of Radiological Sciences, Oncology and Pathology, Policlinico Umberto I Hospital Rome, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Miguel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ramalho
authors.affiliation: Najwa Al Ansari, Valeria Buonocore, Silvia Gigli, Francesca Maccioni, Department of Radiological Sciences, Oncology and Pathology, Policlinico Umberto I Hospital Rome, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Richard C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Semelka
authors.affiliation: Najwa Al Ansari, Valeria Buonocore, Silvia Gigli, Francesca Maccioni, Department of Radiological Sciences, Oncology and Pathology, Policlinico Umberto I Hospital Rome, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Valeria
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Buonocore
authors.affiliation: Najwa Al Ansari, Valeria Buonocore, Silvia Gigli, Francesca Maccioni, Department of Radiological Sciences, Oncology and Pathology, Policlinico Umberto I Hospital Rome, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gigli
authors.affiliation: Najwa Al Ansari, Valeria Buonocore, Silvia Gigli, Francesca Maccioni, Department of Radiological Sciences, Oncology and Pathology, Policlinico Umberto I Hospital Rome, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Maccioni
keywords: Adenocarcinoma; Benign; Lymphoma; Magnetic resonance imaging; Malignant; Metastases; Neuroendocrine; Pancreas; Pancreatic nodules; Solid pseudopapillary tumor