Computed tomography of the pancreas in diabetic patients

Computed tomography (CT) of the pancreas usually shows either a smooth or granular image in the margin and contents. We have divided these images into three types in both the margin and contents (smooth type, fine-granule type and rough-granule type). These types were analyzed in relation to the clinical features of diabetes mellitus. Four hundred and six controls without diabete, mellitus, gallstones, pancreatitis, liver cirrhosis or malignant tumors were analyzed as a control group, and 121 diabetic patients without these four complications were analyzed as a diabetic group. The following results were obtained. 1. In the control group, the younger obese persons showeds high incidence of the rough-granule type of the pancreatic margin and contents. This decreased with an increase in age. 2. In the diabetic group, the incidence of the rough-granule type of both the pancreatic margin and contents was high among the elderly and older patients. Lean patients did not show the rough-granule type of pancreatic contents. The incidence of the rough-granule type tended to decrease as the clinical features became worse. 3. Pancreata having the rough-granule type of pancreatic contents were considered to be rich in fat tissue. (author)