Ultrasonographic evaluation of the pancreas in tropical pancreatic diabetes.

Ultrasonography was performed in three groups of young diabetics in the tropics, namely MODY, IDDM and tropical pancreatic diabetes (TPD). Several morphological abnormalities of the pancreas such as fibrosis and shrinkage of the gland, increased echogenicity and ductal dilatation were found in patients with TPD. It also helped to localize the site of calculi in the pancreas. MODY and IDDM patients did not show any significant changes except a slight reduction in size of the gland. Ultrasonography is a useful tool in differential diagnosis of young diabetics in tropical countries.