CT and MRI features of pancreatic acinar cell carcinoma

Abstract

Objective To identify the imaging features of pancreatic acinar cell carcinomas. Methods Eleven patients of pancreatic acinar cell carcinomas proven surgically and pathologically were included. We retrospectively evaluated the CT and MR findings including the location, size, shape, margin, necrosis , calcification, hemorrhage, enhancement degree, enhancement pattern, invasion to other organs, perilesional lymph nodes, metastasis, recurrence. Results The tumors were distributed in the head(n=4), body and tail(n=4),tail(n=3) of pancreas. The median tumor size was 97 mm(27 to 180 mm).Nine cases presented with a well-defined enhancing capsule. Tumor vessels could be seen in 9 cases.Seven cases were hypovascular while the other 4 were hypervascular. Different extents of necrosis could be seen in all masses as a swirling or cleft low density in the enhanced tumors, with an median of 10% (2% to 25%). The hypovascular masses more frequently demonstrated a lobulated tumor, heterogeneous enhancement pattern, with a larger necrotic component and were more common invasion to other organs. Conclusions Pancreatic acinar cell carcinoma typically presents as a sizable pancreatic mass with a well-defined enhancing capsule. Key words: Pancreatic neoplasms; Tomography, X-ray computed; Magnetic resonance imaging