BACKGROUND: Duodenal carcinoma is a relatively rare tumor and its sonographic (US) findings have rarely been reported. METHODS: We reviewed the clinical data and US results of 15 patients with histologically proven duodenal carcinoma to pinpoint the contribution of US to the diagnosis. RESULTS: US was useful for not only detecting the duodenal carcinoma (13 of 15, 86.7%), which altered the endoscopic procedure in nine patients, but also for evaluating vascular involvement (marked portal invasion in four cases and inferior vena cava invasion in two cases). Four of the eight carcinomas arising from the second or third portion showed this vascular invasion. CONCLUSION: After reviewing the clinical data and US results of 15 cases of duodenal carcinoma, we found that US was useful for detecting duodenal carcinoma and determining vascular invasion. Thus, US contributed significantly to alter the endoscopic procedure and patient management.
BACKGROUND:Duodenal carcinoma is a relatively rare tumor and its sonographic (US) findings have rarely been reported. METHODS: We reviewed the clinical data and US results of 15 patients with histologically proven duodenal carcinoma to pinpoint the contribution of US to the diagnosis. RESULTS: US was useful for not only detecting the duodenal carcinoma (13 of 15, 86.7%), which altered the endoscopic procedure in nine patients, but also for evaluating vascular involvement (marked portal invasion in four cases and inferior vena cava invasion in two cases). Four of the eight carcinomas arising from the second or third portion showed this vascular invasion. CONCLUSION: After reviewing the clinical data and US results of 15 cases of duodenal carcinoma, we found that US was useful for detecting duodenal carcinoma and determining vascular invasion. Thus, US contributed significantly to alter the endoscopic procedure and patient management.