1) Understand critical ductal and parenchymal anatomic variants that affect the appearance of the pancreas affected by cancer. 2) Describe the appearance of pancreatic adenocarcinomas and how to report critical structures for local staging of malignancy. 3) Review mimics of pancreatic adenocarcinoma and how to distinguish between benign and malignant disease.
Pancreatic cancer remains a devastating disease with a poor general prognosis. Understanding of the typical radiological features of pancreatic cancer helps in the detection of early disease that may be curable. While surgical resection carries the hope of cure in patients with resectable disease, accurate radiological interpretation and staging is critical for the appropriate triage of patients with suspected adenocarcinoma and provides the roadmap for surgical intervention. Imaging interpretation also guides palliative therapy that may improve the quality of life.
In this course we will cover important anatomical considerations at CT and MRI that allow for rapid accurate interpretation of images in patients with suspected adenocarcinomas. We will review important mimics of malignancy that may require different treatment and improved prognosis. The staging of adenocarcinoma, including structural landmarks important for pre surgical planning will be discussed.
Yeh, B,
Pearls and Pitfalls in Pancreatic Diseases. Radiological Society of North America 2014 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, - ,Chicago IL.
http://archive.rsna.org/2014/14000562.html
