Pancreatic Ultrasound: State of the Art

J Ultrasound Med. 2019 May;38(5):1125-1137. doi: 10.1002/jum.14978. Epub 2019 Mar 5.

Abstract

An ultrasound (US) study is often the first imaging approach in patients with abdominal symptoms or signs related to abdominal diseases, and it is often part of the routine workup. The pancreatic gland, despite its retroperitoneal site, can be efficiently examined with US thanks to advances in US technologies. Nowadays, a pancreatic US study could be considered complete if multiparametric, including the use of Doppler imaging, US elastography, and contrast-enhanced imaging for the study of a pancreatic mass. A complete US examination could contribute to a faster diagnosis, especially if the pancreatic lesion is incidentally detected, addressing second-step imaging modalities correctly.

Keywords: contrast-enhanced ultrasound; elastography; pancreas; pancreatic diseases; pancreatic gland; ultrasound study.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Humans
  • Pancreas / diagnostic imaging
  • Pancreatic Diseases / diagnostic imaging*
  • Ultrasonography / methods*