Louke J. Delrue MD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Peter B M Blanckaert PhD, Pharm D, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Dokus Paul Mario Mertens, Abstract Co-Author: Employee, Siemens AG

Philippe Duyck, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Perfusion CT can provide information regarding blood perfusion and permeability in (tumor) tissues in a non-invasive manner. In this study, values of CT perfusion parameters in several pathologies of the pancreas were determined and compared to a control population.

Dynamic 128-slice perfusion CT (Siemens Somatom Definition Flash, Siemens Healthcare) was performed in patients admitted to the radiology department between June 2010 and March 2011. The study protocol was approved by the institutional review board and patients provided informed consent. Included pathologies were pancreatic adenocarcinoma (19 patients), acute pancreatitis (3 patients), chronic pancreatitis (6 patients), neuroendocrine tumors (2 patients) and (pseudo)cystic lesions (3 patients). Images were analyzed with software (Siemens Syngo MMWP) using the maximum slope method. Parametric mappings of blood flow, blood volume and permeability surface area product were generated.

Absolute perfusion values were lowest in pancreatic adenocarcinoma and in cystic lesions (5.99 ± 4.1 mL/100 g/min and 18.5 ± 15.8 mL/100 g/min respectively for blood flow). Blood flow and blood volume were significantly lower in acute and chronic pancreatitis compared to the control group. However, no significant differences were found between acute and chronic pancreatitis patients. In the center of adenocarcinoma tumors, low blood flow and blood volume was observed, gradually increasing towards the tumor rim; perfusion values in pancreatic parenchyma adjacent to the tumor were not significantly different from the control population. In neuroendocrine tumors, significantly increased perfusion values were observed.  

Compared to the control population, significant decreases in perfusion values were observed in all pancreatic pathologies under study, except in neuroendocrine tumors. Perfusion CT values can be used as an additional parameter to differentiate between different pancreatic pathologies.

Perfusion CT values can be used as an additional parameter to differentiate between different pancreatic pathologies.

Delrue, L, Blanckaert, P, Mertens, D, Duyck, P, Assessment of Tissue Perfusion in Pathologies of the Pancreas Using 128-Slice Computed Tomography.  Radiological Society of North America 2011 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 26 - December 2, 2011 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2011/11007566.html