Intraductal papillary mucinous tumors of the pancreas. Comparison of helical CT and MR imaging.

PURPOSE

To compare the effectiveness of thin-section helical CT and MR imaging with gadolinium-enhanced dynamic technique and MR cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) in the examination of patients with intraductal papillary mucinous tumors.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Helical CT, dynamic MR imaging, and MRCP of 25 intraductal papillary mucinous tumors were compared with ERCP and surgical findings.

RESULTS

The duodenal papilla was identified by helical CT and dynamic MR imaging in 11 (44%) and 20 (80%) of the 25 patients, respectively (p<0.05). The main pancreatic duct was visualized on helical CT, dynamic MR imaging, and MRCP in all patients (100%): 25 (96.2%), 24 (92.3%), and 26 (100%) cystic lesions were depicted, respectively. A communicating duct between the main pancreatic duct and the cystic lesion was visualized on helical CT, dynamic MR imaging, and MRCP in 14 (53.8%), 11 (42.3%), and 15 (55.7%) lesions, respectively. The papillary projections corresponding to 3 mm or larger papillary neoplasms were depicted on helical CT and MR imaging in 7 patients (25%).

CONCLUSION

MR imaging was equal or slightly superior to thin-section helical CT in the evaluation of intraductal papillary mucinous tumors.