eMedicine Specialties > Radiology > Gastrointestinal

Pancreatitis, Acute: Imaging

Author: , Staff Physician, Staff Physician, Department of Radiology, Harbor Medical Center, University of California at Los Angeles
Coauthor(s): Jeffrey Phillips, MD, Associate Clinical Professor of Radiological Sciences, University of California at Los Angeles School of Medicine, Chief of Diagnostic Radiology, Associate Chair, Department of Radiology, Harbor-University of California at Los Angeles Medical Center
Contributor Information and Disclosures

Updated: Mar 18, 2008

Radiography

Findings

Plain films of the abdomen are part of the initial diagnostic workup of acute abdominal pain.²³ The most commonly recognized radiologic signs associated with acute pancreatitis include the following:

• Air in the duodenal C-loop
• The sentinel loop sign, which represents a focal dilated proximal jejunal loop in the left upper quadrant
• The colon cutoff sign, which represents distention of the colon to the transverse colon with a paucity of gas distal to the splenic flexure

In a review of 73 cases by Rifkind et al, other plain film findings included obscuration of the psoas margin, increased epigastric soft tissue density, increased gastrocolic separation, gastric curvature distortion, pancreatic calcification, and pleural effusion (usually on the left).²⁴  It is noteworthy that the abdominal plain film can be completely normal in patients with acute pancreatitis.

Degree of Confidence

Findings on plain films are nonspecific but are suggestive of acute pancreatitis.

Computed Tomography

Findings

CECT of the abdomen and pelvis is the standard imaging modality for evaluating acute pancreatitis and its complications. Both IV and oral contrast should be administered. Imaging protocols vary, but the most important unifying point is to obtain thin-section images during the peak of pancreatic arterial perfusion. This usually can be acquired by imaging 30-40 seconds after the administration of iodinated contrast at 3-4 mL/s using helical CT. Some advocate the use of water as a negative contrast agent, because barium in the duodenal sweep could potentially obscure a high-attenuation stone.

Freeny recommends obtaining CECT in the following situations²⁵ :

• Patients in whom the clinical diagnosis is in doubt
• Patients with hyperamylasemia and severe clinical pancreatitis, abdominal distention, tenderness, high fever, and leukocytosis
• Patients with a Ranson score greater than 3 or an APACHE score greater than 8
• Patients who do not manifest rapid clinical improvement within 72 hours of initiation of conservative medical therapy
• Patients who demonstrate clinical improvement during initial medical therapy but then manifest an acute change in clinical status, indicating a developing complication

Typical CT findings in acute pancreatitis include focal or diffuse enlargement of the pancreas, heterogeneous enhancement of the gland, irregular or shaggy contour of the pancreatic margins, blurring of peripancreatic fat planes with streaky soft tissue stranding densities, thickening of fascial planes, and the presence of intraperitoneal or retroperitoneal fluid collections. The fluid collections most commonly are found in the peripancreatic and anterior pararenal spaces but can extend from the mediastinum down to the pelvis.

Complications of acute pancreatitis, such as pseudocysts, abscess, necrosis, venous thrombosis, pseudoaneurysms, and hemorrhage, can be recognized with CECT.²⁶

• A pseudocyst appears as an oval or round water density collection with a thin or thick wall, which may enhance.
• A pancreatic abscess can manifest as a thick-walled low-attenuation fluid collection with gas bubbles or a poorly defined fluid collection with mixed densities/attenuation. Gas bubbles are not specific for infection, and the diagnosis of a pancreatic abscess usually requires percutaneous fine-needle aspiration to confirm the presence of pus.
• Necrotic pancreatic tissue is recognized by its failure to enhance after IV contrast administration. Balthazar et al point out that the normal unenhanced pancreas has CT attenuation measuring 30-50 Hounsfield units (HU) and that after IV contrast, the pancreas should display attenuation measuring 100-150 HU.²⁷ A focal or diffuse well-marginated zone of unenhanced parenchyma (>3 cm in diameter or >30% of pancreatic area) is considered a reliable CT finding for the diagnosis of necrosis. It should be noted that pancreatic necrosis may be radiologically indistinguishable from a pancreatic abscess.
• Venous thrombosis can be identified through a failure of the peripancreatic vein (eg, splenic vein, portal vein) to enhance or as an intraluminal filling defect.
• Associated gastric varices may be identified.
• A pseudoaneurysm usually appears as a well-defined round structure with a contrast-enhancement pattern similar to that of the aorta and other arteries.
• Hemorrhage appears as high-attenuation fluid collections. Active bleeding is seen as contrast extravasation.

CECT can be used to assess the severity of acute pancreatitis and to estimate the prognosis. Balthazar et al developed a grading system in which patients with acute pancreatitis are classified into 1 of the following 5 grades²⁷ :

• Grade A - Normal-appearing pancreas
• Grade B - Focal or diffuse enlargement of the pancreas
• Grade C - Pancreatic gland abnormalities associated with peripancreatic fat infiltration
• Grade D - A single fluid collection
• Grade E - Two or more fluid collections

In patients with pancreatitis of grade A or B, the disease has been shown to follow a mild, uncomplicated clinical course; most complications occur in patients with pancreatitis of grade D or E.

Balthazar et al further constructed a CT severity index (CTSI) for acute pancreatitis that combines the grade of pancreatitis with the extent of pancreatic necrosis.²⁷ The CTSI assigns points to patients according to their grade of acute pancreatitis as well as the degree of pancreatic necrosis. More points are given for a higher grade of pancreatitis and for more extensive necrosis. Patients with a CTSI of 0-3 had a mortality of 3% and a complication rate of 8%. Patients with a CTSI of 4-6 had a mortality rate of 6% and a complication rate of 35%. Patients with a CTSI of 7-10 had a 17% mortality rate and a 92% complication rate.

Grade of acute pancreatis and the points assigned per grade are as follows:

• Grade A - 0 points
• Grade B - 1 point
• Grade C - 2 points
• Grade D - 3 points
• Grade E - 4 points

Grade of necrosis and the points assigned per grade are as follows:

• None - 0 points
• Grade 0.33 - 2 points
• Grade 0.5 - 4 points
• Grade higher than 0.5 - 6 points

Degree of Confidence

In a prospective study of 202 patients, Clavien et al reported a 92% sensitivity and 100% specificity in diagnosing acute pancreatitis via CECT.²⁸ Balthazar et al reported an overall accuracy of 80-90% in the detection of pancreatic necrosis.²⁷ Small areas of necrosis involving less than 30% of the pancreas can be missed. Nevertheless, the extent of pancreatic necrosis has been found to correlate well with operative findings and clinical severity. In a study by Block et al, the positive predictive value of CECT for pancreatic necrosis was found to be 92%.²⁹

False Positives/Negatives

The pancreas may appear normal in approximately 25% of patients with mild pancreatitis. In the acute phase of pancreatitis, a small number of patients will have a false-positive diagnosis for necrosis due to massive interstitial edema and vasoconstriction of the vascular arcades. Repeat CT within a few days may show normal pancreatic enhancement.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Findings

Although CT has long been the mainstay for imaging acute pancreatitis and its complications, MRI is an excellent alternative imaging modality.³⁰ MRI is a viable alternative in situations in which CECT is contraindicated, such as in patients with contrast allergy or renal insufficiency.

• In addition to T1-weighted and fast spin-echo T2-weighted sequences, 2-dimensional Fourier transform (FT) and 3-dimensional FT gradient-echo sequences can be used to rapidly image the pancreas during patient breath holds; this reduces the artifacts related to physiologic motion.
• Bolus contrast administration of gadolinium chelates can be used to assess for pancreatic necrosis. The quality of upper abdominal imaging is enhanced further with the use of phased-array surface coils and fat-suppression techniques.
• Detrimental effects of physiologic motion can be reduced further using ultrafast T2-weighted sequences, such as single-shot fast spin-echo or half-Fourier acquisition single-shot turbo-spin echo (HASTE) sequences. Subsecond image acquisitions provide quality diagnostic images even in uncooperative or tachypneic patients. These sequences also are used routinely for depicting the biliary tract in magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP).
• The normal pancreas demonstrates relatively high signal intensity on T1-weighted images with fat suppression.
• The morphologic changes of acute pancreatitis are similar on both CT and MRI.
• The pancreas may be enlarged focally (usually the pancreatic head) or diffusely.
• Acute inflammatory changes appear as strands of low signal intensity in the surrounding peripancreatic fat.
• Complications of acute pancreatitis also can be identified. Hemorrhage is characterized by T1 shortening or high signal intensity on T1-weighted sequences with fat suppression. Peripancreatic fluid collections, pseudocysts, and abscesses are recognized by their high signal intensity on T2-weighted sequences. Devascularized or necrotic portions of the pancreas fail to enhance on dynamic gadolinium-enhanced images. MRI also may be better than CT in detecting areas of sterile pancreatic necrosis in what appear to be simple pseudocysts on CT.

Gadolinium-based contrast agents (gadopentetate dimeglumine [Magnevist], gadobenate dimeglumine [MultiHance], gadodiamide [Omniscan], gadoversetamide [OptiMARK], gadoteridol [ProHance]) have recently been linked to the development of nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF) or nephrogenic fibrosing dermopathy (NFD). For more information, see the eMedicine topic Nephrogenic Fibrosing Dermopathy. The disease has occurred in patients with moderate to end-stage renal disease after being given a gadolinium-based contrast agent to enhance MRI or MRA scans.

As of late December 2006, the FDA had received reports of 90 such cases of NSF/NFD . Worldwide, over 200 cases have been reported, according to the FDA. NSF/NFD is a debilitating and sometimes fatal disease. Characteristics include red or dark patches on the skin; burning, itching, swelling, hardening, and tightening of the skin; yellow spots on the whites of the eyes; joint stiffness with trouble moving or straightening the arms, hands, legs, or feet; pain deep in the hip bones or ribs; and muscle weakness. For more information, see the FDA Public Health Advisory or Medscape.

Degree of Confidence

In a small study by Saifuddin et al, MRI was found to be equivalent to CECT in helping assess the location and extent of peripancreatic inflammatory changes and fluid collections.³¹ In addition, MRI was found to be equivalent in helping assess the degree of pancreatic necrosis. Chalmers et al showed that MRI is more effective than CECT in helping characterize the content of fluid collections and in helping demonstrate gallstones.³²

False Positives/Negatives

In mild cases of acute pancreatitis, the pancreas can appear completely normal on MRI. MRI also is limited in detecting gas and calcifications.

Ultrasonography

Findings

Jeffrey recommends obtaining images of the pancreas and the peripancreatic compartments, such as the lesser sac, anterior pararenal space, and transverse mesocolon, by scanning in the supine, longitudinal, transverse, semi-erect, and coronal planes.³³ However, regions of the pancreas may not be visible by US because of overlying bowel gas.

• The spleen can be used as an acoustic window to image the pancreatic tail.
• Laing et al advise radiologists to scrutinize the intrapancreatic portion of the common bile duct carefully for biliary stones.³⁴
• Doppler techniques should be used to assess vascular complications of acute pancreatitis such as venous thrombosis and pseudoaneurysm formation.
• US is the most sensitive modality for concomitantly evaluating the biliary tree/gallbladder.
• In acute pancreatitis, the pancreas may appear sonographically normal, especially in mild cases.
• More definitive findings include a diffusely enlarged hypoechoic gland.
• Focal enlargement of the pancreatic head and body also may be seen.

Complications of acute pancreatitis may be identified.

• Peripancreatic free fluid collections are identified as ill-defined anechoic collections. The fluid collections may demonstrate internal echoes/debris or septations if hemorrhage or a superimposed infection has occurred.
• Extrapancreatic spread of acute pancreatitis may be the only sonographic manifestation of acute pancreatitis in some patients.
• Pseudocysts appear as well-defined round or oval anechoic fluid collections with through transmission. Infected and noninfected pseudocysts are indistinguishable from each other sonographically.
• US often is used to monitor the resolution of pancreatic pseudocysts.
• A pancreatic abscess may appear as a complex cystic structure with internal debris/septations and, possibly, echogenic gas bubbles.
• A pseudoaneurysm often appears as a cystic mass with turbulent arterial flow within the mass.
• Acute hemorrhage may be identified as a hyperechoic fluid collection.
• Venous thrombosis can be identified as an intraluminal filling defect.
• Associated gastric varices may be appreciated.

Degree of Confidence

A primary limitation of US is that often the pancreas cannot be visualized secondary to overlying bowel gas. Neoptolemos et al report a sensitivity of 67% and a specificity of 100% in the diagnosis of acute pancreatitis by US.³⁵

False Positives/Negatives

The pancreas may appear completely normal in mild cases of acute pancreatitis.

Angiography

Findings

Vascular complications of acute pancreatitis result from the proteolytic effects of the pancreatic enzymes that cause erosion of blood vessels, which often results in pseudoaneurysm formation or free rupture. The splenic artery, followed by the pancreaticoduodenal and gastroduodenal arteries, are affected most commonly. The left gastric, hepatic, and small intrapancreatic arteries are involved less often.

If acute hemorrhage or pseudoaneurysm is suspected or diagnosed by US or CECT, a celiac/superior mesenteric arteriogram should be performed to definitively assess the extent of vascular involvement. In addition, permanent or temporary therapeutic embolization can be performed. The primary contraindication for angiography is a hemodynamically unstable patient.

The precise bleeding point is identified by noting free contrast extravasation. Once the site of pseudoaneurysm or the source of active bleeding is identified, it can be treated by Gelfoam embolization, various coil occlusion devices, or tissue adhesives (eg, bucrylate). Superselective microcoil embolization also has been advocated by Reber et al.³⁶ Vujic has suggested using small Gelfoam particles to control diffuse pancreatic surface bleeding.³⁷ Diffuse bleeding from the gland may appear angiographically as a prominent blush.

Vujic reports that embolization may be used as a temporizing measure to slow bleeding so that the patient may be operated on electively.³⁷ This temporary therapeutic procedure involves selective or nonselective Gelfoam embolization or balloon occlusion of the main celiac trunk.

Complications of celiac/superior mesenteric arteriography and embolization include arterial injury such as thrombosis, dissection, or rupture, distal embolization, ischemia of visceral organs such as the spleen and bowel, coil malpositioning, and rebleeding.

Venous thrombosis of the splenic vein and/or collateral venous pathways also may be diagnosed via selective angiography.

Degree of Confidence

Precise identification of the pseudoaneurysm or bleeding site is crucial for effective treatment. Gambiez et al and Boudghene et al have reported sensitivities of 93% and 96%, respectively, in identifying the bleeding site.^38,39 Success rates of 79% and 78% have been reported by Mandel et al and Boudghene et al, respectively, in embolizing pancreatic pseudoaneurysms.^40,39

False Positives/Negatives

Koehler et al have noted that failure to identify the bleeding source may be because of intermittent arterial bleeding, bleeding from a larger surface area, and venous bleeding.⁴¹ Gambiez et al have reported improper identification of the bleeding artery, inability to catheterize the bleeding vessel selectively, and inexperience of the angiographer as causes of embolization failure.³⁸

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