Ultrasonic measurement of the main pancreatic duct in healthy adults and patients with ampullary-pancreatic disorders
Lin, J.T.; Sheu, J.C.; Wang, T.H.; Chuang, C.N.; Mo, L.J.; Yang, P.M.; Chen, D.S.; Sung, J.L.
Journal of the Formosan Medical Association 84(2): 212-221
1985
ISSN/ISBN: 0371-7682 PMID: 3891911 Document Number: 255155
With a real-time ultrasound scanner, the main pancreatic duct was demonstrated at the body in 64.6% (84 of 130) of normal adults and 47.3% (35 of 74) of patients with ampullary-pancreatic disorders. The mean diameter of the main pancreatic duct of 84 healthy adults was 1.4 mm (range: 0.8-2.4 mm). Whereas in 35 patients with ampullary-pancreatic disorders, it was 6.6 mm (range: 1.2-12.0 mm), with 31 (88.6%) > 2.4 mm. Concomitant dilatation of bile duct and the main pancreatic duct was found in 3 out of 4 with ampullary cancer and 16 out 24 patients with cancer of the pancretic head. Tumor which caused dilatation of pancreatic duct was shown in 14 of 24 patients with cancer of pancreatic head, but in none with ampullary cancer and cancer of pancreatic body and tail. Only 4 of 27 patients with acute pancreatitis were shown to have dilated duct. Two of 6 patients with chronic pancreatitis had pancreatolithiasis in addition to dilated pancreatic duct. Although there was no association between the degree of dilation and the underlying disease, the diameter of pancreatic duct in patients with ampullary-pancreatic disorders was greater than those of normal subjects (P < 0.001). Ultrasonic demonstration of dilated pancreatic duct evidently is a valuable sign in indicating the existence of ampullary-pancreatic disorders.