Radiology of pancreatic neoplasms: An update

Abstract

Diagnostic imaging is an important tool to evaluate pancreatic neoplasms. We describe the imaging features of pancreatic malignancies and their benign mimics. Accurate detection and staging are essential for ensuring appropriate selection of patients who will benefit from surgery and for preventing unnecessary surgeries in patients with unresectable disease. Ultrasound, multidetector computed tomography with multiplanar reconstruction and magnetic resonance imaging can help to do a correct diagnosis. Radiologists should be aware of the wide variety of anatomic variants and pathologic conditions that may mimic pancreatic neoplasms. The knowledge of the most important characteristic key findings may facilitate the right diagnosis.

Keywords: Pancreas, cancer, Radiology, Computed tomography, Magnetic resonance imaging, Surgery, Pancreatic neoplasms

Core tip: Diagnostic imaging is an important tool to evaluate pancreatic neoplasms. We describe and illustrate the imaging features and key findings of pancreatic malignancies and their mimics. The knowledge of radiologic findings is relevant to do an accurate diagnosis that allows a proper management and should be known not only for radiologists but by physicians that comprise multidisciplinary teams.