Diagnostic Ultrasound - Abdomen and Pelvis

Approach to Pancreatic Sonography
(Left) Transverse ultrasound in
a pediatric patient
demonstrates the use of the
spleen as an acoustic
window to visualize the tail of
the pancreas ſt. (Right)
Transverse ultrasound in an
adult with acute pancreatitis
demonstrates the use of the
spleen to visualize, in this
case, a pseudocyst at the tail
of the pancreas ſt.
Diagnoses: Pancreas
(Left) Transverse ultrasound
shows the relationship of the
head of the pancreas ſt to
the duodenum . An
endoscopically placed stent
accentuates the main
pancreatic duct st. (Right)
Transverse ultrasound of the
midbody of the pancreas
shows a lobular cystic lesion
ſt in the pancreatic head,
separated from the adjacent
dilated pancreatic duct by
a thin septation st. Color
Doppler confirms the absence
of vascularity, helpful in
confirming this as a
pseudocyst.
(Left) Transverse US shows a
well-defined anechoic cystic
lesion in the body of the
pancreas with hyperechoic
peripheral foci ſt. The
appearance is nonspecific, and
this was proven to be a
mucinous cystic neoplasm. A
normal pancreatic
parenchyma is seen. (Right)
Transverse ultrasound shows
an atrophic, echogenic gland
with a dilated pancreatic duct
containing calculi .
Scattered parenchymal
calcifications ſt are also
visible. The findings are highly
specific for chronic
pancreatitis.
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