Invasive Carcinomas Derived From Intraductal Papillary Mucinous Neoplasms of the Pancreas

Abstract

To describe computed tomography (CT) findings of invasive carcinoma derived from intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMNs) of the pancreas during long-term follow-up. Follow-up CT findings of 5 patients with IPMNs progressing to invasive carcinomas were respectively reviewed for 12 to 63 months. All patients underwent thin-section 3-phase helical and/or multislice CT. Invasive carcinomas were detected as hypo- (n = 3) or hyperattenuating (n = 2) solid masses in the pancreatic parenchyma on contrast-enhanced CT. Hypoattenuating masses were mostly visualized on arterial dominant phase images. In 4 branch-duct type IPMNs, the solid masses appeared with (n = 3) or without (n = 1) dilatation of the main pancreatic duct after 3 to 5 years. In the remaining combined-type IPMN, a solid mass was detected on initial CT and progressively increased during the follow-up. Arterial dominant phase CT is useful for detecting invasive carcinoma derived from IPMNs and is an effective follow-up method.