Pancreatic ultrasonography

As an initial imaging Evaluation of patients with abdominal pain or mass, ultrasonography (US) may help clinicians diagnose pancreatic abnormalities, differentiate benign from malignant disease, and provide information regarding the need for other imaging evaluation. In this article, the US appearance of pancreatitis and pancreatic neoplasms is presented with computed (CT) and MR imaging correlation. The role of US image-directed biopsy of the pancreas for definitive diagnosis is compared with CT biopsy results. New US applications for pancreatic transplant evaluation also are included.