Age-dependent decline in parenchymal perfusion in the normal human pancreas: measurement by dynamic computed tomography.

Parenchymal perfusion of the normal human pancreas using dynamic computed tomography (CT) was evaluated and correlated with patient demographic characteristics. The results of 23 patients (10 men and 13 women; age range, 25-71 years) who underwent enhanced CT of the upper abdomen and perfusion measurement were retrospectively reviewed. They had no evidence of pancreatic disease or diffuse liver disease, clinically or radiographically. Regions of interest were drawn in the pancreatic body and within the aorta. Pancreatic parenchymal perfusion per volume was then calculated by dividing the peak gradient of the pancreatic time-attenuation curve by the peak aortic CT number in increase. Perfusion in these patients ranged from 0.554 to 1.698 ml min(-1) ml(-1) (mean +/- SD, 0.963 +/- 0.064) and showed a negative correlation with the patient's age (r = 0.699, p < 0.0005). Pancreatic parenchymal density before contrast material injection (mean +/- SD, 48.86 +/- 0.978) was not correlated with perfusion measured by dynamic CT or age. No differences were observed in perfusion or density between men and women. In conclusion, parenchymal perfusion of the normal human pancreas measured by dynamic CT appears to decline with age.