Magnetic Resonance Pancreatography Research Articles

Diagnosis of malignant biliary obstruction: pondering over the ERCP, MRCP and histology.

ObjectiveTo compare the diagnostic accuracy of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), magnetic resonance pancreatography (MRCP) and histological examination for malignant biliary obstruction.MethodsThis retrospective study included patients admitted for biliary obstruction caused by biliary tree malignancy that underwent ERCP, MRCP and histological examination. Data were collected from the medical records. The primary endpoints were the area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUROC) curve value, sensitivity, specificity and overall diagnostic accuracy of the three procedures in terms of a final diagnosis of obstructive biliary malignancy; and the agreement between ERCP, MRCP and histological examination with the final diagnosis.ResultsA total of 160 patients were included in the study (85 males, 53.1%; mean ± SD age, 69.31 ± 10.96 years). Considering the final diagnosis, the performance of MRCP, ERCP and histology in assessing biliary tumours produced AUROC values of 0.88 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.75, 0.90), 0.94 (95% CI 0.85, 0.99) and 0.80 (95% CI 0.70, 0.82), respectively. ERCP presented higher sensitivity, overall diagnostic accuracy and agreement with the final diagnosis than MRCP and histological examination.ConclusionThese current data suggest that invasive methods such as ERCP with biopsy remain more reliable than non-invasive methods.

PANCREATIC-PLEURAL FISTULA PRESENTING AS RECURRENT UNILATERAL PLEURAL EFFUSION

SESSION TITLE: Critical Care 3 SESSION TYPE: Fellow Case Report Posters PRESENTED ON: 10/09/2018 01:15 PM - 02:15 PM INTRODUCTION: Pancreatic-pleural fistula (PPF) is a rare complication of pancreatitis. Pleural effusion seen with pancreatitis is usually clinically insignificant but PPF can produce recurrent and large volume pleural effusions. CASE PRESENTATION: A 58-year-old male with a medical history significant for alcohol abuse and recurrent alcoholic pancreatitis presented to our institute with worsening shortness of breath for 2 days.He was recently admitted for the third time to the hospital with similar presentation and was diagnosed with massive left-sided pleural effusion requiring drainage for symptom relief. He started feeling short of breath the very next day after discharge, more on exertion. On admission, his vitals were: HR 118, BP 140/97, RR 22, Temp 98.2F. Physical examination was remarkable for dullness to percussion with reduced air entry up to the left 5th intercostal space.Laboratory workup revealed a serum lipase level of > 600 U/L, serum amylase of 459 U/L mm/hr.Chest x-ray showed opacification of left hemithorax. CT chest confirmed large left-sided pleural effusion with compression collapse of the left lower lung.Pleural fluid analysis showed an exudative effusion with an amylase level of 17675 U/L. MRCP of the abdomen revealed diffusely dilated pancreatic ducts.Despite repeated aspiration, recurrent accumulation of pleural effusion was seen, so a chest tube was inserted.An ERCP was performed for the concern of pancreatic-pleural fistula which was consistent with moderate ductal stenosis and contrast extravasation from the ventral pancreatic duct in the head of the pancreas but did not demonstrate a clearcut fistulous tract. A stent was placed in the stenotic duct. The pleural fluid drainage from the tube decreased markedly, the chest tube was removed next day and a follow-up chest X-ray after 2 weeks revealed no evidence of recurrent pleural effusion. DISCUSSION: Although uncommon, pancreatic-pleural fistula can present with recurrent unilateral clinically significant pleural effusion. Although there is no cutoff level to establish the diagnosis, pleural fluid amylase is usually greater than 1000U/L, with levels of> 50,000U/L highly suggestive of a PPF.ERCP is essential in both the diagnosis and treatment of PPF; it does not only show the site of the leak but also reveals the ductal morphology, it demonstrates the fistulous tract in 59% to 74% of the cases. In our patient, the diagnosis was initially suggested by the very high level of pleuritic fluid amylase level and was confirmed by imaging and ERCP. Treatment was successful after a stent was placed at the site of leakage. CONCLUSIONS: Pancreatic-pleural fistula (PPF) should be included in the differential diagnosis of recurrent and large pleural effusions especially in middle-aged men with a history of alcohol consumption and recurrent pancreatitis. Reference #1: A. R. Dhebri and N. Ferran, “Nonsurgical management of pancreaticopleural fistula,” Journal of the Pancreas, vol. 6, no. 2, pp. 152–161, 2005. Reference #2: R. Materne, P. Vranckx, C. Pauls, E. E. Coche, P. Deprez, and B. E. Van Beers, “Pancreaticopleural fistula: diagnosis with magnetic resonance pancreatography,” Chest, vol. 117, no. 3, pp. 912–914, 2000. Reference #3: E. W. Pottmeyer, C. F. Frey, and S. Matsuno, “Pancreaticopleural fistulas,” Archives of Surgery, vol. 122, no. 6, pp. 648–654, 1987. DISCLOSURES: No relevant relationships by Taha Ahmed, source=Web Response No relevant relationships by TALHA AHMED, source=Web Response No relevant relationships by Basma Ricaurte, source=Web Response

Management of splenic and pancreatic trauma

The spleen and pancreas are at risk for injury during abdominal trauma. The spleen is more commonly injured because of its fragile structure and its position immediately beneath the ribs. Injury to the more deeply placed pancreas is classically characterized by discordance between the severity of pancreatic injury and its initial clinical expression. For the patient who presents with hemorrhagic shock and ultrasound evidence of major hemoperitoneum, urgent "damage control" laparotomy is essential; if splenic injury is the cause, prompt "hemostatic" splenectomy should be performed. Direct pancreatic injury is rarely the cause of major hemorrhage unless a major neighboring vessel is injured, but if there is destruction of the pancreatic head, a two-stage pancreatoduodenectomy (PD) may be indicated. At open laparotomy when the patient's hemodynamic status can be stabilized, it may be possible to control splenic bleeding without splenectomy; it is always essential to search for injury to the pancreatic duct and/or the adjacent duodenum. Pancreatic contusion without ductal rupture is usually treated by drain placement adjacent to the injury; ductal injuries of the pancreatic body or tail are treated by resection (distal pancreatectomy with or without splenectomy), with generally benign consequences. For injuries of the pancreatic head with pancreatic duct disruption, wide drainage is usually performed because emergency PD is a complex gesture prone to poor results. Postoperatively, the placement of a ductal stent by endoscopic retrograde catheterization may be decided, while management of an isolated pancreatic fistula is often straightforward. Non-operative management is the rule for the trauma victim who is hemodynamically stable. In addition to the clinical examination and conventional laboratory tests, investigations should include an abdominothoracic CT scan with contrast injection, allowing identification of all traumatized organs and assessment of the severity of injury. In this context, non-operative management (NOM) has gradually become the standard as long as the patient remains hemodynamically stable and there is no suspicion of injury to hollow viscera, with the patient being carefully monitored on a surgical service. The development of arteriography with splenic artery embolization has increased the rate of splenic salvage; this can be performed electively based on specific indications (blush on CT, pseudoaneurysm, arteriovenous fistula), and may also be considered for severe splenic injury, abundant hemoperitoneum, or severe polytrauma. For pancreatic injury, in addition to CT scan, magnetic resonance pancreatography (MRCP) or even endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) may be necessary to identify a ductal rupture. If the pancreatic duct is intact, laboratory and CT imaging surveillance is performed just as for splenic injury. In case of pancreatic ductal injury, ERCP stenting can be considered. However, if this is unsuccessful, the therapeutic decision can be difficult: while NOM can still be successful, complications may arise that are difficult to treat while distal pancreatectomy, although initially more agressive may avoid these complications if performed early.

Contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance pancreatography with gadoteridol by heavily T2-weighted three-dimensional fluid-attenuated inversion recovery: preliminary results in healthy subjects.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the feasibility of contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance (MR) pancreatography with intravenously administered gadolinium-based contrast material (GBCM) in healthy subjects. Eight healthy male subjects (age: 29-53 years old, median: 37 years old) were enrolled. Contrast-enhanced MR pancreatography was scanned with heavily T2-weighted three-dimensional fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (hT2W-3D-FLAIR) before and after intravenous GBCM administration. Two radiologists evaluated the images, referring to three-dimensional MR pancreatography by consensus. Scanning was performed five times at 1.5-h intervals (at 0.5, 2, 3.5, 5, and 6.5 h) after GBCM administration. In all subjects, pre-contrast-enhanced hT2W-3D-FLAIR images demonstrated no visualization of the main pancreatic duct. After GBCM administration, the main pancreatic duct was visualized in all subjects at 0.5 h (n=4, 50%) and/or 2 h (n=7, 88%). The mean signal intensity of the main pancreatic duct was 3.17 ± 0.78 at pre-contrast enhancement, 7.96 ± 4.60 at 0.5 h, and 8.08 ± 4.64 at 2 h. The signal intensity ratio of the main pancreatic duct against the pancreatic parenchyma was statistically higher (P < 0.01) at the 0.5-h and 2-h scans than that of pre-contrast-enhanced scan. Intravenously administered GBCM seeped into the pancreatic duct in sufficient concentration to alter the appearance of the main pancreatic duct by hT2W-3D-FLAIR in healthy subjects.

Endoscopic Ultrasound in the Etiological Diagnosis of Idiopathic Pancreatitis

Aims: Recent new laboratory and technological advances have been able to shred the enigmatic veils of (Idiopathic Pancreatitis, IP) to a point wherein with extensive evaluation it is possible to reveal the etiology in 79%-80% of patients previously labeled as having idiopathic pancreatitis. More modern imaging investigations include, but are not limited to fine cut computerized tomography, endoscopic retrograde pancreatography, magnetic resonance pancreatography as well as endoscopic ultrasound.

Traumatisme isolé du pancréas : à propos de 5 cas

The pancreatic trauma is rare. It represents 0.2 to 3 % of all abdominal injuries. The clinical symptomatology is not specific. The CT scan associated with magnetic resonance pancreatography allows making the diagnosis of the pancreatic lesion and the main pancreatic duct injury. Medical treatment can be sufficient, but essentially surgical and endoscopic treatments are required when there is duct involvement.

Use of 3.0-T MR Imaging for Evaluation of the Abdomen

The most important advantage of 3.0-T magnetic resonance (MR) imaging systems is their increased signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) compared with 1.5-T systems. The higher SNR can be used to shorten acquisition time, achieve higher spatial resolution, or a combination of the two, thereby improving image quality and clinical diagnosis. In fact, 3.0-T MR imaging systems have already proved superior to 1.5-T systems in neuroradiologic and musculoskeletal applications. In the abdomen, 3.0-T MR imaging is uniquely beneficial for techniques such as enhanced and nonenhanced hepatic imaging, diffusion-weighted imaging, angiography, MR pancreatography, and colonography. Admittedly, 3.0-T abdominal imaging has important technical limitations, such as standing wave artifact, chemical shift artifact, susceptibility artifact, and safety issues such as increased energy deposition within the patient's body. Furthermore, 3.0-T abdominal MR imaging is still in the early stages of development and requires substantial modifications of the pulse sequences and hardware components used for 1.5-T imaging. Nevertheless, the ability to obtain physiologic and functional information within reasonably short acquisition times with 3.0-T abdominal MR imaging bodies well for the future of this imaging technique.

Magnetic resonance pancreatography: comparison of two- and three-dimensional sequences for assessment of intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm of the pancreas

The purpose was to compare two-dimensional (2D) magnetic resonance pancreatography (MRP) with 3D MRP to evaluate intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN). Thirty-four patients (22 men, 12 women; age range, 45-80 years) with IPMN (n = 40) were examined with MRP on 2D and 3D sequences. Two readers independently reviewed the images to assess the overall image quality, artifacts, lesion location, communication with main pancreatic duct, and potential for malignancy. The readers assigned their confidence level (1-5) for predicting ductal communication of the lesion. The results of MRP were compared with endoscopic retrograde pancreatography and surgical and histopathologic findings. Studies obtained with 3D MRP were of significantly higher technical quality than those obtained with 2D MRP. Although 3D MRP showed higher area under the ROC curve (Az) values for predicting ductal communication of the lesion, there was no statistical significance between Az values of 2D and 3D MRP (Az for 2D = 0.821, 0.864 for readers 1 and 2, respectively, and Az for 3D= 0.964, 0.921). Accuracies for discriminating benign from malignant lesions were 70 and 67.5% (reader 1 and 2, respectively, for 2D) and 62.5 and 80.1% (3D). 3D MRP showed superior image quality to that of 2D MRP but did not increase the diagnostic accuracy for predicting ductal communication of the lesion.

Magnetic Resonance Cholangiopancreatography: Current Use and Future Applications

Magnetic resonance pancreatography (MRCP) is now established as a robust noninvasive tool for the evaluation of biliary and pancreatic pathology. Its diagnostic performance is comparable with endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography without the associated risks. This article aims to familiarize the reader with the technique, clinical indications, and limitations of the investigation. Common pitfalls in interpretation also are addressed. Emerging applications and techniques are discussed that include recent advances in technology and the development of functional imaging.

Incidental Pancreatic Cystic Lesions

Incidental pancreatic cystic lesions (IPCL) are becoming an increasingly frequent clinical entity. Within this review, the differential diagnosis, investigation, and management are discussed. A MEDLINE search was performed for IPCL. Incidence of IPCL varies from 0.2-0.7%, and 30-47% are premalignant or malignant. Pancreatic pseudocysts (PC), serous cystic neoplasms (SCN), intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMN), and mucinous cystic neoplasms (MCN) are the most common pathological entities of IPCL. The use of combined modalities, including clinical characteristics, serum tumor markers, cross-sectional imaging, and endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) with cyst fluid analysis should all be used to establish an accurate preoperative diagnosis if possible. Modern multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) and magnetic resonance pancreatography (MRP) allow detailed characterization of IPCL, including size, septation, calcifications, mural nodules, and communication with main pancreatic duct. The best available cyst fluid markers of mucinous neoplasm are viscosity > or =1.6 and carcinoembryonic antigen >192 ng/ml. Although surgery is indicated for MCN or main or mixed duct IPMN, recent advances in the understanding of the natural history and increasingly accurate preoperative diagnosis allow a nonoperative approach to be undertaken for the majority of IPCL. For those treated nonoperatively, the ideal follow-up has yet to be determined. Emerging evidence supports selective nonoperative management for the majority of patients who have IPCL when investigated by a multimodal approach. For those in whom a suspicion of malignancy remains, surgery is indicated.

Comparison of Secretin-Stimulated Magnetic Resonance Pancreatography and Manometry Results in Patients with Suspected Sphincter of Oddi Dysfunction

To measure main pancreatic duct diameter (PDD) with magnetic resonance pancreatography (MRP) before and after secretin injection in patients with suspected sphincter of Oddi dysfunction (SOD) and to determine if the diameter change is predictive of sphincter of Oddi manometry (SOM) results. We identified all patients during the study period referred for SOM for clinically suspected SOD; patients with an intact sphincter and without contraindication to MRP examination were considered for study entry. Consenting patients underwent MRP, including dynamic imaging of the pancreatic duct after intravenous administration of porcine secretin followed by SOM during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. MRP was defined as abnormal when PDD remained increased by > or = 1.0 mm from baseline 15 minutes after secretin injection. SOM was abnormal when basal sphincter pressure (SP) was > or = 40 mm Hg. Mean PDD before and after secretin administration was compared within normal and abnormal SP groups with two-tailed unpaired t-test; the mean difference between baseline and peak PDD and duration of > or = 0.5 mm increase in PDD was compared between groups with two-tailed t-test. P < .05 was considered significant. Of 70 patients referred for SOM, 30 met all entry criteria, gave consent to participate, and underwent both MRP and SOM. Ten of 30 patients (33%) had normal SP; 20 (67%) were abnormal. PDD increased significantly after secretin injection (normal SP, 1.62 +/- 0.73 to 2.78 +/- 0.77 mm, P < .01; abnormal SP, 1.45 +/- 0.26 to 2.32 +/- 0.75 mm, P < .01). There was no difference between normal and abnormal SP groups in amount of PDD increase (1.15 +/- 0.75 vs. 0.88 +/- 0.72 mm; P = .33) or duration of > or = 0.5 mm increase in PDD (5.28 +/- 8.76 vs. 13.60 +/- 13.00 minutes; P = 0.07). In patients with suspected sphincter of Oddi dysfunction, magnetic resonance pancreatography demonstrated PDD increase following secretin injection but did not predict the results of manometry.

Cystic Dystrophy of the Duodenal Wall Developing in Heterotopic Pancreas

Cystic dystrophy in heterotopic pancreas (CDHP), an uncommon but serious complication of dilatation of the ectopic pancreatic ducts of heterotopic pancreatic tissue, occurs most often in the second part of the duodenum. This disorder is difficult to diagnose and raises various therapeutic questions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the most useful procedures for investigating suspected CDHP and to consider late results after surgical treatment by pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD). This retrospective study concerned 9 patients who developed CDHP of the duodenal wall during an 18-year period (1983-2001). All patients were symptomatic and underwent PD (no postoperative deaths). Clinical presentation, imaging findings, pathological features, and follow-up were analyzed. All patients but one were male alcoholics (mean age, 48 years; range, 37-63 years). The clinical presentation was abdominal pain (n = 9) associated with vomiting (n = 6), jaundice (n = 2), and weight loss (n = 9). Upper endoscopy (n = 9) showed nonspecific inflammatory lesions with duodenal stenosis (n = 4). Retrospective analysis of computed tomographic findings (n = 9) studied specific signs of CDHP and nonspecific inflammatory changes in periduodenal space. Endoscopic ultrasonography (n = 4) and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (n = 2) were the most useful investigations. Pathological findings in surgical specimens were multiple cysts located in the thickened duodenal wall (n = 9), ectopic pancreatic tissue (n = 7), fibrosis of the normal gland (n = 4), and adenocarcinoma in ectopic tissue (n = 1). During the follow-up period, 4 patients died 12, 16, 48, and 72 months after PD. The cause of death was independent of CDHP or PD, but related to persistent alcoholism in 2 cases involving chronic pancreatitis. In 1 case, the patient died of disseminated adenocarcinoma. The other 5 patients had a good result. Endoscopic ultrasonography and magnetic resonance pancreatography are the most useful investigations for the diagnosis of CDHP. Pancreaticoduodenectomy is justified after failure of medical treatment or endoscopic drainage. Late results after PD are dependent on alcoholic consumption when CDHP is associated with chronic pancreatitis.

Obstructed pancreaticojejunostomy partly explains exocrine insufficiency after pancreatic head resection

Objective. The majority of patients with long-term survival after pancreatic head resection suffer from pancreatic exocrine insufficiency. The objective of this study was to investigate whether this is due to glandular malfunction or obstructed pancreaticojejunal anastomosis. Material and methods. Twenty-six patients (10 M, 16 F, mean age 61 years, range 34–81 years) were re-examined a median of 52 months (range 3–76 months) after pancreatic head resection and end-to-end invaginated pancreaticojejunostomy. Pancreatic exocrine function was measured by fecal elastase-1 assay. The size of the pancreatic remnant, glandular secretion and the flow through the anastomosis were analyzed with secretin-stimulated dynamic magnetic resonance pancreatography (D-MRP). Results. All patients had pancreatic exocrine insufficiency, 24 (92%) of them having severe insufficiency. Eighteen patients (69%) reported moderate to severe diarrhea. Lowest fecal elastase-1 concentrations were associated with the initial diagnosis of chronic pancreatitis or ductal adenocarcinoma, suggesting preoperative primary or secondary chronic pancreatitis as important determinants. The size of the remnant gland did not correlate with the fecal elastase-1 concentrations. D-MRP failed in three patients. Severe glandular malfunctions were found in 7 (30%) of the 23 successful D-MRP examinations. The anastomosis was totally obstructed in 5 patients (22%) or partially obstructed in 6 (26%) but remained perfectly open in 5 patients (22%). The five patients with perfect anastomoses had the highest measured median fecal elastase-1 activity. Conclusions. Although late diarrhea and pancreatic exocrine insufficiency may be partly induced already by the disease treated with resection, at least half may be explained by obstructed anastomosis. To obtain better late functional results, improvements may be required in the surgical techniques.

Fistule pancréatique post-traumatique : succès du traitement endoscopique par endoprothèse

The risk of complications and the severity of pancreatic trauma depend on the status of the main pancreatic duct. Endoscopic retrograde pancreatography (ERCP) has emerged as the technique of reference for assessing pancreatic ductal anatomy, and it also permits therapeutic intervention by the endoscopic placement of an endoprosthesis. We report a pancreatic fistula attributable to posttraumatic rupture of the main duct, undiagnosed before ERCP and successfully treated by endoscopic stent placement. ERCP has emerged as a tool for both diagnosis and treatment. Major traumatic pancreatic duct disruptions can be diagnosed more easily and managed successfully by endoscopic stent placement, thereby avoiding surgical morbidity. ERCP is impractical in emergency settings for many reasons. Magnetic resonance pancreatography may be useful for establishing the type and extent of pancreatic lesions and for selecting patients for endoscopic treatment.

Spontaneous Internal Pancreatic Fistula Presenting with Persistent Pleural Effusion

A 50 year old male patient presented with unexplained shortness of breath for one month. He had no known co- morbidities. His social history was significant for excessive alcohol consumption. Physical exam revealed decreased breath sounds on the right side with dullness to percussion. No abdominal tenderness was noted. Chest radiograph revealed a large right sided pleural effusion, which reformed shortly after pleurocentesis. Magnetic resonance pancreatography (MRP) showed changes of chronic pancreatitis with outpouching from the main pancreatic duct, raising the suspicion a pancreaticopleural fistula. Pleural fluid amylase level was elevated at 43920 U/L. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) revealed irregular pancreatic duct with significant contrast leak from the tail, communicating with the right hemi-thorax (Fig 1). Due to significant disruption of pancreatic duct, the decision was made to proceed with distal pancreatectomy. Surgical pathology revealed a 2 cm size fistula originating from the distal pancreatic duct. The patient had an uneventful recovery from surgery.Figure 1Discussion: Internal pancreatic fistulas are uncommon complications of chronic pancreatitis. In most cases, the diagnosis can be made from CT scan, ERCP and MRP, where disruption of the main pancreatic duct is noted. Medical therapy options, including total parenteral nutrition, chest tube placement, octereotide, and nasopancreatic drain, have resulted in resolution of the fistula in 1/3 of the cases described previously. Pancreatic duct stenting has proven to be successful in some cases if done early in the course of the disease. Approximately 50% of the cases described in literature had to undergo surgery, with distal pancreatectomy being the most common resection performed. This choice of treatment is usually considered once medical treatment fails, or in cases where medical therapy is considered less effective, as in the cases of complete ductal disruption. Our patient had significant distal pancreatic duct disruption on top of extensive chronic pancreatitis, making the surgical option more practical. [figure 1]

Fístula pancreaticopleural: pruebas diagnósticas y tratamiento

Pancreaticopleural fistula is an uncommon clinical entity that appears in patients with a history of chronic pancreatitis. Apropos of the case of a 40-year-old man in our hospital, we reviewed the literature and found 40 publications with little more than 100 patients. All of these publications highlight the atypical presentation with dyspnea as the first symptom and stress that diagnosis is based on magnetic resonance pancreatography. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography is used in confusing cases and in planning the optimal surgical approach. Initial treatment should consist of conservative medical therapy, including total parenteral nutrition and somatostatin or its analogues. If the fistula persists or recurs, various options are available such as surgery, placement of a transpapillary pancreatic stent or nasopancreatic tube. The overall mortality rate from pancreaticopleural fistula is approximately 5%.

Pancreatic transplants: noninvasive evaluation with secretin-augmented mr pancreatography and MR perfusion measurements--preliminary results.

Feasibility of secretin-augmented magnetic resonance (MR) pancreatography and dynamic contrast material-enhanced MR measurements for evaluation of functional status of pancreatic allografts was determined by quantifying the excretion and perfusion of the grafts. Ten patients were included prospectively before pancreatic transplantation. Dynamic T2-weighted sequences after secretin stimulation and dynamic contrast-enhanced T1-weighted gradient-echo sequences were performed. Area under the curve and maximum signal intensity-to-time ratio were determined in selected regions of interest. Biochemical parameters, Doppler ultrasonography, and/or surgery were standards for final diagnosis. Patients with normal outcome (n = 7) produced 236 mL +/- 104 (standard deviation) of pancreatic juice, and patients with dysfunctional grafts (n = 3) produced 42 mL +/- 25. Area under the curve and maximum signal intensity-to-time ratio provided thresholds of 0.5 and 0.3, respectively, for distinction between functional and dysfunctional grafts. Secretin-augmented MR pancreatography combined with MR perfusion measurements may aid in differentiation between patients with and those without graft dysfunction.

Traumatismes du pancréas. Principes de techniques et de tactique chirurgicales

Early diagnosis of a pancreatic trauma (PT) is challenging due to discrepancies between severity of the lesions and initial symptomatology. Delayed diagnosis may be responsible for severe complications, the treatment of which is often difficult. A severe acute post-traumatic pancreatitis, for instance, is often associated with late death. The decisions depend on the circumstances in which the PT has been identified. If the patient is haemodynamically unstable, control of the haemorrhage is the priority, and immediate laparotomy must be undertaken, during which a damage control procedure must be decided if necessary. In the haemodynamically controlled patient, the surgeon has enough time to recognize the PT, its location and its severity. The main severity criteria are the disruption of the pancreatic duct and the association to a duodenal lesion. Minor injuries without ductal disruption are treated by external drainage. In case of distal injury with ductal disruption, resection of the distal segment is generally proposed, all the easier since the resection is less than 50-60 %. Drainage by a Roux-en-Y is actually not applicable to situations of emergency. In case of proximal pancreatic contusion with ductal injury, sump drainage will often be the best solution, because of the difficulties and bad results related to the Whipple procedure, because of the ability to complete such an option by complementary post-operative Endoscopic-Retrograde-Cholangio-Pancreatography (ERCP) with intra-ductal stent insertion, and because of the relative simplicity of the management of a pancreatic fistula. If, exceptionally, a pancreaticoduodenectomy is unavoidable, one must keep in mind the possibility to delay the reconstruction to the first or second postop day. An injury of the duodenum associated to a benign PT is treated by suture if simple and by a Roux-en-Y duodenojejunal diversion if severe. A venting gastrostomy, a feeding jejunostomy and possibly a stappled simplified duodenal exclusion can be performed if the duodeno-pancreatic lesions are very serious, and we recommend avoiding the pancreaticoduodenectomy, if possible. If the patient is haemodynamically stable, and the laparotomy not indicated, the best diagnosis tools are Computed Tomodensitometry, Magnetic Resonance Pancreatography and Endoscopic-Retrograde-Cholangio-Pancreatography. If these exams show a disruption of the main pancreatic duct, endoscopic transpapillary stent insertion may be successful. In case of failure, the management follows the same rules than those described in the operative treatment. Nonoperative management is appropriate for patients without any main pancreatic duct disruption, but it is obvious that this nonoperative option may eventually succeed, even if a disruption has been found, especially in children. The decision is based on the topography of the lesion, the clinical status, and the age of the patient.

Management of blunt major pancreatic injury.

Major duct injury is the principal determinant of outcome for patients with pancreatic trauma, and there are a number of therapeutic choices available specific to the location of the insult. We report a series of blunt major pancreatic injury cases, with a review of the different procedures used and a discussion of the results. A total of 48 cases of blunt major pancreatic injury treated during a 10-year period at one trauma center were reviewed retrospectively. Diagnosis and assessment of injury severity were based on imaging studies and proved by surgical findings. Charts were reviewed to establish the mechanism of injury, surgical indications and imaging studies, management strategy, and outcome. Of the 32 grade III patients, 19 underwent distal pancreatectomy with splenectomy, 8 had pancreatectomy with preservation of the spleen, and 2 received a pancreatic duct stent, with the remaining 3 individuals undergoing nonsurgical treatment, pancreaticojejunostomy, and drainage alone, respectively. The grade III complication rate was 60.6%. Of the 14 grade IV patients, 4 underwent drainage alone because of the severity of the associated injuries, 4 underwent pancreaticojejunostomy, 3 had distal pancreatectomy with splenectomy, and 1 underwent distal pancreatectomy. The two remaining patients received a pancreatic duct stent. The grade IV complication rate was 53.8%. The Whipple procedure was performed for two grade V patients; one died subsequently. For all 48 patients, intraabdominal abscess was the most common morbidity (n = 11) followed, in order of prevalence, by major duct stricture (n = 4), pancreatitis (n = 2), pseudocyst (n = 2), pancreatic fistula (n = 1), and biliary fistula (n = 1). All stented cases developed complications, with one dying and three experiencing major duct stricture. The complication rate for our cases of blunt major pancreatic injury was high (62.2%), especially when treatment was delayed more than 24 hours; the same result was also noted for cases transferred from other institutions. Distal pancreatectomy with spleen preservation had a lower complication rate (22.2%) compared with other procedures and is suggested for grade III and grade IV injuries. Magnetic resonance pancreatography was unreliable early after injury but was effective in the chronic stage. Although pancreatic duct stenting can be used to treat posttraumatic pancreatic fistula and pseudocyst, the major duct stricture in the chronic stage of recovery and the risk of sepsis in the acute stage must be overcome.

Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm of the pancreas: diagnosis and treatment.

Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN) is characterized by cystic dilatation of the main and/or branch pancreatic duct. Only one-third of all patients are symptomatic, and others are diagnosed by chance. IPMNs are classified into 3 types: main duct, branch duct, and mixed IPMN. Most branch-type IPMNs are benign, while the other 2 types are frequently malignant. The presence of large mural nodules increases the possibility of malignancy in all types. Presence of a large branch-type IPMN and marked dilatation of the main duct indicate, at the very least, the existence of adenoma. Ultrasonography, endosonography, and intraductal ultrasonography clearly demonstrate ductal dilatation and mural nodules, and magnetic resonance pancreatography best visualizes the entire outline of IPMN. Not infrequently, synchronous or metachronous malignancy develops in various organs, including the pancreas. Prognosis is excellent after complete resection of benign and noninvasive malignant IPMNs. Asymptomatic branch-type IPMNs without mural nodules may be followed up without resection. Malignant IPMNs displaying acquired aggressiveness after parenchymal invasion require adequate lymph node dissection. Total pancreatectomy is needed for some IPMNs; its benefits, however, must be balanced against operative and postoperative risks because most IPMNs are slow growing and affect elderly people, and prognosis is favorable for IPMN patients with even malignant neoplasms.