Utility of multiplanar reformation images of helical CT in the evaluation of pancreatic diseases

The purpose of this study is to assess the clinical utility of multiplanar reformation images of helical CT in the evaluation of pancreatic diseases. Helical CT scans of the pancreas were obtained in 30 patients with pancreatic diseases. Helical CT was performed with 5 mm collimation at 5 mm/sec table speed during rapid injection of intravenous contrast agent using power injector. After scanning, helical volume data were reconstructed at 2 mm interval and then multiplanar reformation of the pancreas and adjacent structures was done. In both prospective reconstructed axial images and multiplanar reformation images, detection of pancreatic lesion, extent of lesion, and vascular and bile ductal changes were analyzed with a grading system of 1, 2, 3. The mean grade of detection of pancreatic lesions was 2.37 in the prospective axial image and 2.83 in multiplanar reformation image, extent of diseases was 2.40 in prospective axial image and 2.97 in multiplanar reformation image, and vascular and bile ductal changes was 2.00 in the prospective axial image and 2.97 in multiplanar reformation image. All the differences were statistically significant (ρ < 0.0001). Multiplanar reformation images of helical CT are useful in the evaluation of pancreatic diseases and especially in the demonstration of complex anatomic relationships between the pancreas and surrounding structures