Ces radiol. 2019, 73(2):118-124 | DOI: 10.55095/CesRadiol2019/018

Visualisation of pancreatic adenocarcinoma and its differential diagnosis using imaging methodsReview article

Róbert Psár^1,2,4, Ondřej Urban^3,4, Marie Černá⁵, Veronika Psárová⁶

¹ Radiologické oddělení, Vítkovická nemocnice a.s.

² Vzdělávací a výzkumný institut AGEL o. p. s., Prostějov

³ 2. interní klinika gastroenterologická a geriatrická FN, Olomouc

⁴ Lékařská fakulta, Univerzita Palackého, Olomouc

⁵ Radiologická klinika FN a LF UP, Olomouc

⁶ Centrum péče o zažívací trakt, Vítkovická nemocnice a.s.

Pancreatic tumours are the fourth most common cause of cancer-related deaths in the world. Czech Republic has long been amongst countries with the highest incidence of pancreatic carcinoma. Mortality closely reflects incidence, because even at present time, we often fail to diagnose this disease in a timely and correct manner. Isoattenuating tumours that cannot be visualised on CT is one of the major diagnostic problems. In addition to CT, other imaging methods, such as abdominal ultrasonography, magnetic resonance imaging, endoscopic ultrasonography and positron emission tomography, play a crucial role in the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. The article summarises essential information about pancreatic adenocarcinoma imaging and its distinction from other tumours. Among the most common neoplasms mentioned in its differential diagnosis are neuroendocrine tumours, solid pseudopapillary tumour, lymphoma and metastases into the pancreas. Although pancreatic adenocarcinoma forms the majority share of the number of solid pancreatic masses, it is important to think of other more rare lesions that can imitate this malignant disease. These include, for example, some congenital conditions, fatty infiltration-replacement, peripancreatic lesions, other uncommon tumours or pancreatic sarcoidosis. The distinction of pancreatic adenocarcinoma from tumour-like chronic pancreatitis also deserves a separate chapter.

Keywords: differential diagnosis, pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, chronic pancreatitis, pancreatic tumours, imaging methods

Grants and funding:

Podpořeno grantem IGA_LF_2019_002.

Accepted: March 1, 2019; Published: June 1, 2019  Show citation