Mirko D'Onofrio MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Giulia Zamboni MD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Roberto Malagò, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Caterina Mammone, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Roberto Pozzi Mucelli, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

to evaluate the possibilities of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) in the study of cystic pancreatic lesions discerning between benignancy and malignancy.

CEUS study of 49 cystic lesions of the pancreas, identified at basal US, was performed. All the lesions were cytologically/histologically diagnosed. The results on lesional enhancement were compared with those obtained from spiral CT and/or MR.

The cystic pancreatic lesions were 8 serous cystadenomas, 12 mucinous tumors, 5 intraductal papillary mucinous tumors, 4 cystic adenocarcinomas, 2 cystic endocrine tumors and 18 pseudocysts. In 5/8 (63%) serous cystadenomas enhancement of thin centripetal intralesional septa was observed at CEUS. In 10/12 (83%) mucinous tumors enhancement of small parietal nodules/septa was detected at CEUS. In 4/5 (80%) intraductal papillary mucinous tumors very small intralesional parietal nodules/septa enhancement was demonstrated at CEUS. In 3/4 (75%) cystic adenocarcinomas slight enhancement of a thick tumoral rim was identified at CEUS. In both cystic endocrine tumors a thick hypervascular tumoral rim was observed. In 18/18 (100%) of the pseudocysts no intralesional enhancement was present at CEUS. In two mucinous tumors an irregular and thick wall was present at CEUS. In 3 cases of mucinous tumors, small nodules/septa demonstrated at CEUS inside the cystic lesion were not visible at spiral CT but confirmed at pathology.

CEUS can characterize cystic pancreatic lesions. CEUS can improve the non-invasive differential diagnosis between pseudocysts and cystic pancreatic tumors.

D'Onofrio, M, Zamboni, G, Malagò, R, Mammone, C, Pozzi Mucelli, R, Cystic Pancreatic Lesions: Possibilities of Contrast-enhanced Ultrasonography (CEUS) in the Discrimination between Benignancy and Malignancy.  Radiological Society of North America 2005 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 27 - December 2, 2005 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2005/4406887.html