Chinese Journal of Pancreatology 2010;10(6):401-403

doi:10.3760/cma.j.issn.1674-1935.2010.06.007

CT and MRI features of autoimmune pancreatitis

Mingzhi LU ; Maoheng ZU ; Chengwei SHAO ; Changjing ZUO ; Jianping LU

Keywords

Pancreatitis; Autoimmune diseases; Tomography,X-ray computed; Magnetic resonance imaging

Country

China

Language

Chinese

Abstract

Objective To investigate the CT and MRI features of the autoimmune pancreatitis (ALP).Methods CT and MRI data of fourteen patients with AIP who were confirmed by histology and/or steroid therapy were retrospectively analyzed.Ten patients underwent CT examination, and seven patients underwent MRI, while three patients underwent both CT and MRI examinations.Results It was showed that diffuse (n =11 ) or local ( n = 3 ) enlargement of pancreas.CT features showed that the hypoattenuation pancreatic lesions on unenhanced CT (n = 10);segmental pancreatic duct could be seen in five patients;stenosis of common bile duct in the head of pancreas was observed in 5 patients;the capsule-like structure around lesions was seen in seven patients.Delayed homogeneous enhancement was showed on enhanced CT.MRI features included homogeneous ( n = 3) and heterogeneous ( n = 4) hyperintense on T1 WI with fat-suppression images and homogeneous ( n = 3 )and heterogeneous (n =4) hyperintense on T2WI with fat-suppression images.Pancreatic duct could be seen in four patients.MRCP showed pancreatic duct stenosis in the head of pancreas ( n = 1 ) and segmental pancreatic duct (n = 2).Stenosis of common bile duct in the head of pancreas was showed in 5 cases.The capsule-like structure around lesions was showed in seven patients.No pancreatic calcification was revealed, and no significant pancreatic duct dilation was detected ( >3 mm) in all 14 patients.Conclusions The CT and MRI manifestations of AIP had characteristic features such as sausage-like changes of the pancreas, capsule-like structure around the lesions, diffuse or local pancreatic duct stricture, and stenosis of common bile duct in the bead of pancreas.