[Evaluation of doppler ultrasonography criteria for the differential diagnosis of pancreatic tumors]

Abstract

Aim: In order to improve the differential diagnosis of pancreatic lesions, dopplersonographic criteria for the tumours were evaluated.

Methods: 35 patients diagnosed by conventional ultrasound as having a tumour of pancreas were further investigated by B-mode sonography, fundamental and echo-enhanced power-Doppler sonography focusing on specific properties of the tumours. The results were correlated to the histological findings.

Results: Ductal carcinomas and cystadenocarcinomas are often hypovascularized in comparison to the surrounding tissue. In contrast to this, neuroendocrine tumours and cystadenomas are mostly hypervascularized. Tumours associated with pancreatitis show different vascularization patterns depending on inflammation and the extent of necrosis.

Conclusions: Pancreatic tumours display different vascularization patterns in the echo-enhanced power-Doppler sonography. These characteristics can be useful for the differential diagnosis of pancreatic tumours.