Respiratory movement of the pancreas: an ultrasonic study.

Respiratory movement of the pancreas was documented ultrasonically in 36 normal patients and volunteers. Pancreatic excursion from full inspiration to full expiration was measured in the plane of the superior mesenteric artery in supine, prone, and decubitus positions. Excursions ranged from 0 to 3.5 cm. The average respiratory excursion was 1.8 cm in the supine position, 1.9 cm when prone, and 2.2 cm in the lateral decubitus position. Such respiratory movement of the pancreas has obvious implications both for static B-mode ultrasound scanning and for CT scanning.