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01-05-2020 | Magnetic Resonance Imaging | Special Section: Pancreatitis

Pancreatitis and PDAC: association and differentiation

Authors: Sherif B. Elsherif, Mayur Virarkar, Sanaz Javadi, Juan J. Ibarra-Rovira, Eric P. Tamm, Priya R. Bhosale

Published in: Abdominal Radiology | Issue 5/2020

Abstract

The discrimination of mass-forming chronic pancreatitis (MFCP) from pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a central diagnostic dilemma. It is important to differentiate these entities since they have markedly different prognoses and management. Importantly, the appearance of these two entities significantly overlaps on a variety of imaging modalities. However, there are imaging features that may be suggestive of one entity more than the other. MFCP and PDAC may show different enhancement patterns on perfusion computed tomography (CT) and/or dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI). The duct-penetrating sign on magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) is more often associated with MFCP, whereas abrupt cutoff with upstream dilatation of the main pancreatic duct and the double-duct sign (obstruction/cutoff of both the common bile duct and pancreatic duct) are more often associated with PDAC. Nevertheless, tissue sampling is the most reliable method to differentiate between these entities and is currently generally necessary for management.

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Title: Pancreatitis and PDAC: association and differentiation
Authors: Sherif B. Elsherif
Mayur Virarkar
Sanaz Javadi
Juan J. Ibarra-Rovira
Eric P. Tamm
Priya R. Bhosale
Publication date: 01-05-2020
Publisher: Springer US
Keywords: Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Computed Tomography
Magnetic Resonance Cholangio Pancreatography
Computed Tomography
Autoimmune Pancreatitis
Chronic Pancreatitis
Acute Pancreatitis
Pancreatitis
Pancreatic Cancer
Pancreatic Cancer
Published in: Abdominal Radiology / Issue 5/2020
Print ISSN: 2366-004X
Electronic ISSN: 2366-0058
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00261-019-02292-w

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