BackgroundSome patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) demonstrate a reticular pattern around the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) in computed tomography scans. This study aimed to clarify the clinical significance of the reticular pattern in pancreatic head cancer.MethodsA total of 91 patients with pancreatic head cancer, who underwent upfront pancreaticoduodenectomy between 2004 and 2017, were included. Patients without reticular pattern (Non‐group, n = 39); with reticular pattern around SMA (Ret‐group, n = 39); and with soft tissue contact (Soft‐group, n = 13) were compared.ResultsMedian overall survival (OS) of patients in the Ret‐group was significantly worse than that in the Non‐group (21.3 vs. 57.0 months; P < 0.001) and equivalent to that in the Soft‐group. In the multivariate analysis, reticular pattern and high CA19‐9 levels were identified as independent predictors of OS. Microscopically, only fibrotic thickenings were identified corresponding to the reticular pattern areas, and no difference in the frequency of early local recurrence was noted between the Non and Ret‐groups. Lymphovascular invasion was significantly different between the two groups; furthermore, early distant recurrence was more frequent in the Ret‐group.ConclusionsThe reticular pattern around SMA is an important prognostic factor related to frequent distant recurrence in patients with pancreatic cancer.