[Sonographic staging of pancreatic cancer. Report of 100 cases].

The ultrasound studies of 100 patients with proven pancreatic carcinoma were reviewed and correlated with the intraoperative and pathoanatomic findings. Ultrasound had a sensitivity of 87% in detecting the malignant lesion. The extension of the tumour and the infiltration of peripancreatic structures and visceral vessels was interpreted correctly in 85% of the cases. The sensitivity for liver metastases was 90.9%, whereas for lymph node involvement it was 78.3%. 19 patients had carcinosis peritonei. Ultrasonography could only detect the carcinosis in two cases. Malignant ascites was found in 15% (sensitivity of US 88.2%). 31% of the pancreatic carcinomas were resectable.