CT demonstration of the splenic vein-pancreatic relationship: the pseudodilated pancreatic duct

Cross-sectional anatomy of the splenic vein-pancreatic relationship is reviewed and correlated with findings on computed tomography. A layer of fat which is normally present between the splenic vein and the pancreas may simulate a dilated pancreatic duct. Distinct demonstration of the splenic vein as a structure separate from the pancreas was possible in 43 of 86 patients studied. An additional 25% of the patients had partial or indistinct demonstration of the splenic vein. Appreciation of this normal relationship on CT is imperative to avoid misinterpretation of the fat layer as a dilated pancreatic duct. In addition, the measured size of the pancreas may be falsely overestimated by addition of the splenic vein width if the intervening fat is not identified.
CiteULike    Complore    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    What's this?