Sonay Aydin1, Erdem Fatihoglu2, Erdal Karavas3, Mecit Kantarci4. 1. Medical Doctor, Erzincan University, Department of Radiology, Erzincan, Turkey. Electronic address: sonay.aydin@erzincan.edu.tr. 2. Medical Doctor, Erzincan University, Department of Radiology, Erzincan, Turkey. 3. Associate Professor, Erzincan University, Department of Radiology, Erzincan, Turkey. 4. Professor, Erzincan University, Department of Radiology, Erzincan, Turkey; Professor, Erzurum Ataturk University, Department of Radiology, Erzurum, Turkey.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Normal pancreatic thickness values on ultrasound (US) have been defined in literature. However, there is insufficient information about normal pancreatic measurements acquired from computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). To define normal pancreatic thickness measurements acquired from different localizations in order to provide reference values for more objectively identified parenchymal thickness changes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective evaluation was made of the abdominal MRI examinations of 162 pediatric patients. Patients with any pancreatic disease, or chronic gastrointestinal inflammatory disease were excluded from the study. Measurements were taken from T2-weighted images. RESULTS: Evaluation was made of 162 children, comprising 82 (50.6%) males and 80 (49.3%) females with a mean age of 9.8 ± 2.4 years. Mean pancreatic thickness was 18.3 ± 3.1 mm, 10.2 ± 2.9 mm, 14.9 ± 3 mm, 14.9 ± 3.3 mm in head, neck, body and tail localizations, accordingly. A positive correlation was determined between age, height, weight, body mass index (BMI) and pancreatic thickness in all the anatomic localizations (r > 0.55, p < 0.05). No significant difference was determined with gender. Interobserver agreement between two researchers was moderate and strong according to the different anatomic localizations. CONCLUSIONS: The defined normal ranges are mostly consistent with previously published US and CT based values. Pancreatic thickness values were positively correlated with age, height, weight and BMI for all four anatomical regions of the pancreas. Knowledge of normal pancreatic thickness values will increase the diagnostic accuracy of radiologists in the assessment of pancreatic diseases and may aid in interpreting atrophy in the setting of chronic pancreatitis.
INTRODUCTION: Normal pancreatic thickness values on ultrasound (US) have been defined in literature. However, there is insufficient information about normal pancreatic measurements acquired from computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). To define normal pancreatic thickness measurements acquired from different localizations in order to provide reference values for more objectively identified parenchymal thickness changes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective evaluation was made of the abdominal MRI examinations of 162 pediatric patients. Patients with any pancreatic disease, or chronic gastrointestinal inflammatory disease were excluded from the study. Measurements were taken from T2-weighted images. RESULTS: Evaluation was made of 162 children, comprising 82 (50.6%) males and 80 (49.3%) females with a mean age of 9.8 ± 2.4 years. Mean pancreatic thickness was 18.3 ± 3.1 mm, 10.2 ± 2.9 mm, 14.9 ± 3 mm, 14.9 ± 3.3 mm in head, neck, body and tail localizations, accordingly. A positive correlation was determined between age, height, weight, body mass index (BMI) and pancreatic thickness in all the anatomic localizations (r > 0.55, p < 0.05). No significant difference was determined with gender. Interobserver agreement between two researchers was moderate and strong according to the different anatomic localizations. CONCLUSIONS: The defined normal ranges are mostly consistent with previously published US and CT based values. Pancreatic thickness values were positively correlated with age, height, weight and BMI for all four anatomical regions of the pancreas. Knowledge of normal pancreatic thickness values will increase the diagnostic accuracy of radiologists in the assessment of pancreatic diseases and may aid in interpreting atrophy in the setting of chronic pancreatitis.
Authors: Andrew T Trout; Maisam Abu-El-Haija; Sudha A Anupindi; Megan B Marine; Michael Murati; Andrew S Phelps; Mitchell A Rees; Judy H Squires; Kate M Ellery; Cheryl E Gariepy; Asim Maqbool; Brian A McFerron; Emily R Perito; Sarah J Schwarzenberg; Bin Zhang; Dana K Andersen; Mark E Lowe; Aliye Uc Journal: AJR Am J Roentgenol Date: 2022-02-23 Impact factor: 6.582