J Korean Radiol Soc.  2000 Jun;42(6):959-963. 10.3348/jkrs.2000.42.6.959.

Pancreatic Cancer: Comparison of Two Series of Dual-phase Helical CT in Detection of Tumor and in Assessing Vascular Invasion

• Kim YH
• Lim JH
• Lee WJ

• KMID: 2200757
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3348/jkrs.2000.42.6.959

Abstract

PURPOSE: To compare the clinical utility of two series of dual-phase helical CT scans of the pancreas for tumor detectability and for the evaluation of vascular invasion. MATERIALS AND METHODS:Two series of dual-phase helical CT scans of the pancreas were performed in 49 pa-tients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma proven by pathology (n=21) and by clinical findings (n=28). The first series, in 24 patients, was obtained with a 45-sec (pancreatic phase) and an 80-sec delay (hepatic phase), and for the second series, in 25 patients, the corresponding delay times were 35 and 75 secs. A total of 120 ml non-ionic contrast media was injected of a speed of 3 ml/sec. Tumor conspicuity for each phase was assessed by measuring the attenuation number of the pancreatic mass and of normal pancreas. Enhancement of the celiac axis (CA), superior mesenteric artery (SMA), and superior mesenteric and portal veins was assessed by measuring the attenuation number of each phase. RESULTS: A comparison of the first and second series revealed no statistically significant tumor conspicuity. Enhancement of the celiac axis and superior mesenteric artery was better on scans obtained at 35-sec/75-sec delay (CA 254 HU +/-41, 224 HU +/-43; SMA 259 HU +/-55, 212 HU +/-44; p < .05), as was enhancement of the superior mesenteric and portal veins, but no statistical significance was observed. CONCLUSION: Dual-phase helical CT scans of the pancreas obtained at 35-sec/75-sec and 45-sec/80-sec delay for the pancreatic phase and hepatic phase, respectively, are equal in terms of the detectability of pancreatic ade-nocarcinoma,but for the evaluation of vascular invasion, dual-phase scanning with delays of 35 and 75 sees may be more appropriate.

Keyword

Computed tomography (CT), helical; Pancreas, CT; Pancreas, neoplasms

MeSH Terms

Adenocarcinoma
Axis, Cervical Vertebra
Contrast Media
Humans
Mesenteric Artery, Superior
Pancreas
Pancreatic Neoplasms*
Pathology
Portal Vein
Tomography, Spiral Computed*
Contrast Media