PURPOSE: The purpose was to evaluate characteristics of pancreatic cancer without main pancreatic duct (MPD) dilatation on dual-phase computed tomographic (CT) scans. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We studied 16 patients with pancreatic head cancer without accompanying MPD dilatation and 39 patients with MPD dilatation RESULTS: Elevation of serum amylase level and peripancreatic fluid collection were more frequently seen in the MPD(-). Common bile duct dilatation and atrophy of the upstream pancreatic parenchyma were more frequently seen in MPD(+). CONCLUSION: Pancreatic cancers without MPD dilatation were more frequently related to acute pancreatitis and had fewer secondary signs. Thus, early diagnosis of pancreatic cancer with these characteristics could be difficult.
PURPOSE: The purpose was to evaluate characteristics of pancreatic cancer without main pancreatic duct (MPD) dilatation on dual-phase computed tomographic (CT) scans. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We studied 16 patients with pancreatic head cancer without accompanying MPD dilatation and 39 patients with MPD dilatation RESULTS: Elevation of serum amylase level and peripancreatic fluid collection were more frequently seen in the MPD(-). Common bile duct dilatation and atrophy of the upstream pancreatic parenchyma were more frequently seen in MPD(+). CONCLUSION:Pancreatic cancers without MPD dilatation were more frequently related to acute pancreatitis and had fewer secondary signs. Thus, early diagnosis of pancreatic cancer with these characteristics could be difficult.