Ultrasonic demonstration of the pancreatic duct: an analysis of 41 cases.

Ultrasonically visualized pancreatic ducts seen in patients over two and a half years were reviewed. Pancreatic ducts ranging from 2 to 16 mm were identified in 41 patients. All proved to have pancreatic disease. Of these, 25 had inflammatory disease, including acute pancreatitis, chronic pancreatitis, and pancreatolithiasis, and 16 had ampullary or pancreatic head tumors. There was no correlation between the pancreatic duct diameter and the underlying pathology. A careful search for tumor must be made in all patients in whom the pancreatic duct is demonstrated, using current gray-scale instrumentation.