Diagnostic value to depict branch pancreatic ducts dilatation by MR cholangiopancreatography

Objective: To evaluate the diagnostic value of depicting dilatation of branch pancreatic ducts (BPD) in patients with chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic carcinomas in MR cholangiopancreatography. Methods: Forty-five patients with chronic pancreatitis and thirty patients with pancreatic carcinomas were enrolled in the study. All the patients underwent MRI using axial T₁ weighted imaging, T₂ weighted imaging and MR cholangiopancreatography in a 3.0 T MR unit. and dilatation of BPD was analyse by which their morphology, location and extent of dilatation. Results: Morphologically, dilatation of BPD in cystic, dendroid manner or both of them were seen in 19, 42 and 16 cases in chronic pancreatitis, and 6, 29 and 5 cases in pancreatic carcinomas, respectively. In location, dilatation of BPD in proximal, distal or full coverage of main pancreatic duct were seen in 0, 10 and 35 cases in chronic pancreatitis, and 1, 12 and 17 cases in pancreatic carcinomas, respectively. Conclusion: Dilatation of BPD and main pancreatic duct could be well visualized in MR cholangiopancreatography at 3.0 T. It is helpful in differentiating chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic cancinoma to be familiar with features of dilatation of BPD. (authors)