Characterization Of Mucinous Cystic Neoplasms And Serous Cystadenomas Of The Pancreas With Multi-slice Helical Computed Tomography

OBJECTIVE:The purpose of this study was to determine whether multi-slice helical computed tomography can be used to distinguish mucinous cystic neoplasms from serous cystadenomas of the pancreas.MATERIALS AND METHODS:This study was approved by our hospital institutional review board, but the patient informed consent was waived. Between July 2003 and December 2009, a total of 32 patients with pathologically proven primary cystic pancreatic cystadenomas meeting the including and excluding criteria were retrospectively recruited in this study. Clinical documents and CT images of 32 patients were retrospectively reviewed. Of 32 patients, there were 13 cases of serous cystadenomas and 19 cases of mucinous cystadenomas. CT features such as tumor location, contour, dimension of the largest cyst, cystic wall, septation, presence of calcification, solid component, pancreatic atrophy; main pancreatic duct dilatation and lesion margins were recorded. Statistical analysis was performed to evaluate the efficacy of certain CT findings in the differentiation of serous cystadenomas from mucinous neoplasms.RESULTS:There is statistic difference in presence of clinical symptoms in differentiating mucinous cystic neoplasms (16 out of 19) from serous cystadenomas (8 out of 13) (P=0.021<0.05). The dimension of the largest cyst of the tumor no more than 2cm had a statistically significant association with serous neoplasms (P=0.01<0.05) and the presence of solid component had a statistically significant association with serous cystadenomas (P=0.029<0.05). CONCLUSION:There are some characteristic MSCT features in serous cystadenomas and mucinous cystic neoplasms of the pancreas, allowing MSCT to be a sensitive tool for differentiating serous cystadenoma from mucinous cystic neoplasms.