Ultrasound of the pancreas

Ultrasound of the pancreas, as a rule, is part of the study of the organs of the abdominal cavity. In connection with the peculiarities of the structure and location of the pancreas, this diagnostic measure is associated with certain difficulties, but it allows you to visualize this organ in different projections and assess its state in the dynamics of the course of the pathological process.

When to perform an ultrasound of the pancreas?

Indications for pancreatic ultrasound:

How to prepare for ultrasound of the pancreas?

In emergency situations, a doctor may recommend the use of an ultrasound of the pancreas without prior preparation. And, although his results may be inaccurate, "blurred", a qualified doctor will be able to identify a serious pathological process that requires urgent medical measures.

Planned ultrasound of the pancreas must be preceded by a specific preparation, which begins 2 to 3 days before the day of the study. Basically, this is due to the fact that the pancreas is in contact with the stomach, the small and large intestines, the duodenum, and during the research the air contained in these hollow organs makes it very difficult to visualize the pancreas.

Preparation for ultrasound of the pancreas includes the following:

  1. Special diet (beginning - 3 days before ultrasound), which includes the exclusion of dairy products, carbonated and alcoholic beverages, fresh vegetables and fruits, juices, black bread, legumes.
  2. Refusal to eat 12 hours before the procedure (a light dinner is recommended on the eve of the morning study).
  3. The day before the examination, you need to take a dose of laxative, and people who are prone to increased gas production - also activated charcoal .
  4. On the day of the ultrasound, food and liquid intake, smoking and medication are not recommended.

Ultrasound of the pancreas - decoding

Normally, when carrying out ultrasound of the pancreas, the same gland density and liver density are established, i.e. the pancreatic echostructure of intensity resembles the echostructure of the liver. There is a predominance of small echoes, evenly distributed throughout the pancreas. With age, in connection with the compaction and deposition of fats, the echostructure of the gland intensifies.

With various pathological processes in the organ, its echostructure changes significantly. For example, ultrasound of the pancreas with acute pancreatitis in relation to the norm shows a significant decrease in echogenicity (intensity and brightness of the image), which is associated with swelling of the gland. In chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer, ultrasound will show that echogenicity is increased, and heterogeneity of the echostructure due to the development of fibrosis and cicatricial changes will be noted.

Also, the outline of the gland on ultrasound should be clear and even. During the examination, the anatomical structure of the gland, consisting of a head, an isthmus, a hook-shaped process and a tail, is visualized. The normal value of the thickness of the head - up to 32 mm, the body - up to 21 mm, the tail - up to 35 mm. Minor deviations are allowed only with a normal biochemical blood test.