[Pancreatic ultrasonography]

Abstract

Despite the recent technological advances in imaging, abdominal ultrasonography continues to be the first diagnostic test indicated in patients with a suspicion of pancreatic disease, due to its safety, accessibility and low cost. It is an essential technique in the study of inflammatory processes, since it not only assesses changes in pancreatic parenchyma, but also gives an indication of the origin (bile or alcoholic). It is also essential in the detection and tracing of possible complications as well as being used as a guide in diagnostic and therapeutic punctures. It is also the first technique used in the study of pancreatic tumors, detecting them with a sensitivity of around 70% and a specificity of 90%.

Keywords: Acute pancreatitis; Carcinoma pancreático; Chronic pancreatitis; Ecografía; Ecografía pancreática; Enfermedades pancreáticas; Pancreatic carcinoma; Pancreatic diseases; Pancreatic ultrasonography; Pancreatitis aguda; Pancreatitis crónica; Ultrasonography.