PANCREATIC AND RENAL MOBILITY

One hundred and forty-five patients undergoing ultrasound examination for unrelated symptomatology were examined with respect to pancreatic position. Patients likely to have distorted upper abdominal anatomy were excluded. All patients were examined in the supine and left posterior oblique positions in the sagittal and transverse planes. The position of the head of the pancreas was noted in the following positions: pre-caval, pre-aortic and to the left of the aorta. The pancreas was not visualized in both positions in 25 patients, and these were excluded from the study. The pancreas changed position with patient movement in 45 patients. In eight females a change in position of the right kidney was also noted. This study demonstrates that pancreatic and to a lesser extent renal mobility is common, particularly in women. Attention is drawn to this finding which may cause distortion of the biliary and pancreatic anatomy. The altered landmarks may cause confusion in the interpretation of normal and abnormal structures.