MRI of pancreatic tumors

Abstract

MRI employing current imaging techniques is able to detect various pancreatic tumors well, and is able to stage and characterize tumors accurately. This review article describes various current MR techniques emphasizing breath hold spoiled gradient echo (SGE) imaging, fat suppression, dynamic gadolinium administration and MR cholangiographic techniques. Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas are generally low signal intensity on T1-weighted and T2-weighted images and enhance poorly on immediate post gadolinium SGE images. Islet cell tumors are generally low signal intensity on T1-weighted images, high signal intensity on T2-weighted images and enhance intensely on immediate post gadolinium images. The appearances of less common tumors is also described.

Peripancreatic fat necrosis mimicking pancreatic cancer

“…These tumors exhibit low signal intensity on T1-and T2-weighted MR images, and show less enhancement than the parenchyma of the pancreas on gadolinium-enhanced GRE MR images [13]. Mangafodipir is an organ-specific MR contrast agent that accumulates predominantly in the liver and the parenchyma of the pancreas [14].…”

Malignant islet cell tumor of the pancreas associated with portal venous thrombus

“…It has been reported that fat-saturated T1-weighted images are useful in the detection of pancreatic tumors. On fat-saturated T1-weighted images, respiratory motion and chemical shift artifacts reduce and the contrast between tumor and normal parenchyma definitely increases [2,4,7,8].…”

Unique intense uptake demonstrated by 18F-FDG positron emission tomography/computed tomography in primary pancreatic lymphoma: A case report

“…Percutaneous ultrasound (US), CT scan and MRI are wellestablished procedures used in the evaluation of pancreatic masses (9,10). CT is the most common imaging technique used in the detection and characterization of pancreatic tumors.…”