Clin Endosc.  2019 Nov;52(6):533-540. 10.5946/ce.2018.156.

Elastography of the Pancreas, Current View

• Dietrich C
• Hocke M

• KMID: 2465795
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5946/ce.2018.156

Abstract

Ultrasound elastography (USE) of the pancreas allows pancreatic tissue stiffness assessment by virtual palpation. Two main types of USE are used. For the pancreas strain elastography applying by endoscopic ultrasound has been established for the characterisation of small solid pancreatic lesions (SPL). In larger SPL >30 mm the results are less convincing mainly due to the heterogenicity of the lesions but also by concomitant changes of the surrounding pancreatic parenchyma. The current role of shear wave elastography has to be determined. This article reviews the current use of elastography of the pancreas.

Keyword

Endoscopic ultrasound; Neuroendocrine tumour; Shear wave elastography; Ultrasound

MeSH Terms

Elasticity Imaging Techniques*
Palpation
Pancreas*
Ultrasonography

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1. Autoimmune pancreatitis. The entire organ shows diffuse stiffness. In comparision, pancreatic cancer shows circumscriptive stiffness only.

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  Fig. 2. Neuroendocrine tumour, benign. Endoscopic ultrasound elastography can rule out malignancy with a high level of certainty if the lesion is displayed as soft.

• 

  Fig. 3. Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Elastography show a typical heterogenous stiff pattern.

• 

  Fig. 4. Pancreatic metastasis of colorectal carcinoma. Elastography show a typical homogenous stiff pattern.

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