Enhancing pancreatic mass with normal serum CA19-9: key MDCT features to characterize pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours from its mimics

Abstract

Objectives: To determine key MDCT features for characterizing pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours (PNET) from their mimics, which manifest as enhancing pancreatic mass with normal serum CA19-9 level.

Methods: This retrospective study had institutional review board approval and informed consent was waived. Preoperative multiphase MDCT of 74 patients with enhancing pancreatic masses and normal serum CA19-9 levels were included. Surgical pathologies were PNET (n = 42), microcystic serous cystadenomas (m-SCN, n = 12) and solid pseudopapillary epithelial neoplasms (SPEN, n = 20). Two radiologists independently evaluated CT images with a checklist of findings. Frequencies of findings with each disease entity were compared. Diagnostic accuracy was assessed using the key MDCT features alone and in combination. Inter-observer agreement was evaluated.

Results: The most common findings for PNET were mosaic morphological pattern (33/42, 78.6%) and enhancement peak in pancreatic arterial phase (PAP, 32/42, 76.2%), for m-SCN were honeycomb pattern (9/12, 75.0%) and enhancement peak in PAP (10/12, 83.3%) and for SPEN were melting icecream pattern (16/20, 80.0%) and hypo-enhancement in all phases (18/20, 90.0). Using a combination of morphological patterns and enhancement features, PNET was identified with 88% sensitivity and 81% specificity, m-SCN was identified with 83% sensitivity and 94% specificity, and SPEN was identified with 90% sensitivity and 91% specificity. Inter-observer agreement concerning CT findings was good to excellent (κ = 0.68 to 0.81, all p < 0.01).

Conclusions: Morphological features and enhancement patterns on MDCT are key features for characterizing enhancing pancreatic mass with normal serum CA19-9. PNET could be differentiated from its mimics with high accuracy.

Keywords: CA19-9; Diagnosis; Multidetector computed tomography; Pancreatic neoplasms.