Abstract:

Objective To observe situation of vessels invaded by pancreatic carcinoma by using contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) and to assess the resectability of pancreatic carcinoma. Methods Forty-five patients having complete CEUS data and diagnosed as pancreatic carcinoma by pathologic examination of surgery specimen were selected. The large peripanceatic vessels invasion situation observed by CEUS before operation was recorded and reviewed. According to classification standard in evaluating resectability of tumor (radical or palliative resection) and final surgery selection, positive and negative predictive value, sensitivity, and specificity of CEUS before operation evaluating the resectability of pancreatic carcinoma were analyzed. Results According to CEUS data before operation, 67 peripancreatic vessels of 45 patients were invaded, among which the invasion rates of celiac artery, superior mesenteric artery, superior mesenteric vein, and hepatic artery were 31.1%, 22.7%, 22.2%, and 22.2%, respectively. Of all the 20 patients who were considered to be resectable according to the CEUS evaluation，17 underwent radical resection. The positive predictive value was 85.0% (17/20). Among the remaining 25 patients who were considered unresectable on the basis of CEUS findings, 20 underwent palliative resection. The negative predictive value was 80.0% (20/25). The sensitivity and specificity of tumor resectability prediction by CEUS were 77.3％ and 86.9％ respectively. Conclusion CEUS may provide definite value in investigating the peripancreatic vessels invasion, which has the reference value in evaluating resectability of pancreatic carcinoma.

Key words: pancreatic carcinoma, contrast-enhanced ultrasound, resectability