Functional assessment of pancreatic parenchyma after secretin administration using serial T2‐weighted echo‐planar magnetic resonance imaging

Abstract

Signal intensity (SI) changes of pancreatic parenchyma were evaluated after intravenous administration of secretin using T2-weighted single-shot spin-echo echo-planar imaging (EPI) to assess this method as a magnetic resonance (MR) test of pancreatic exocrine function. Nine volunteers were studied with serial single-shot EPI of the pancreas for 15 minutes after the injection of secretin or saline. The normal pattern of pancreatic SI change was demonstrated after intravenous injection of secretin, a single peak at 3-4 minutes in the head, body, and tail, followed by a gradual decrease in SI. Saline injection did not induce a significant SI change. There was no statistical difference in the peak contrast ratios (first mean, 1.21-1.25, vs. second mean, 1.18 -1.22) and peak times (first mean, 3.2-3.7 minutes, vs. second mean, 3.1-3.6) in a repeat study. By evaluating the pattern of time-response curves obtained from serial T2-weighted EPI after secretin injection, pancreatic exocrine function may be directly assessed at the level of the head, body, and tail. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2001;14:450 -456.

The clinical value of secretin-enhanced MRCP in the functional and morphological assessment of pancreatic diseases

“…[17][18][19][20] Finally, S-MRCP provides both a qualitative and quantitative evaluation of duodenal filling. [21][22][23] S-MRCP is not performed as a routine examination in all MR facilities due to its relatively high cost, increased examination time, and the expertie necessary for interpretation. S-MRCP reports should include a description of the subtle morphological features of the PD, as well as the functional implications.…”