Ultrasonic characteristics of pancreatic tumors.

The ultrasonic features of 40 pancreatic tumors were analyzed. The tumors were categorized by texture, attenuation, shape, size, and location. Secondary effects of pancreatic duct visualization, biliary stasis, splenic vein involvement, metastases, and ascites were reviewed. Thirty of thrity-one adenocarcinomas had a similar ultrasonic texture consisting of a background of faint, low-level echoes with varying amounts of superimposed coarse echoes. Tumors are detectable prior to enlargement or distortion of the pancreas. Secondary features were present in 94% of the adenocarcinomas. Significant information regarding the possibility and complexity of resection can be provided.