Indications for ultrasound of the pancreas

Indications for ultrasound examination of the pancreas are almost all pathologies of this important organ. Diseases can be clinically obvious, but they can also have hidden, erased symptoms, so it is so important to conduct an ultrasound examination to clarify the diagnosis and quickly prescribe a course of therapy. Echography is currently one of the most accessible, painless and informative methods of monitoring the state of the pancreas and an effective diagnostic method for determining its pathologies.

The main indications for ultrasound examination of the pancreas can be divided into several categories:

• Persistent, recurring painful sensations in the upper abdomen - on the left, as well as in the hypochondrium area;
• Symptoms of the presence of stones, tumor process, cysts;
• Clarification of the diagnosis after radiography of the duodenum with results showing changes in the contours of the loops and shape;
• Clarification of the diagnosis and etiology of the disease after a gastroscopic examination showing an anomaly in the posterior region of the stomach;
• Clarification of the diagnosis after laboratory tests;
• Painful sensations in the epigastrium upon examination by palpation;
• Gradually decreasing body weight, including sudden weight loss;
• Changes in stool (impaired bowel movements);
• Clarification of diabetic diagnosis;
• Jaundice syndrome.

The main objective of performing an ultrasound of the pancreas is the primary measurement of the shape, then the size of the organ. The parenchyma is also examined, the presence or absence of tumors is determined. In order for the ultrasound to be effective and accurate, the patient must adhere to a certain diet. Several days (2-3) before the ultrasound, you need to eat without overloading the stomach and liver, preferably porridge. The day before the ultrasound, the patient should cleanse the intestines, preferably in the morning (take a laxative), in the evening before the procedure it is advisable not to have dinner or the diet should be minimal. Dinner, if it cannot be avoided for therapeutic reasons, should take place at least 12 hours before the ultrasound. In the morning before the procedure, the patient should not take medications, it is also necessary to exclude food and drink.

Indications for ultrasound examination of the pancreas, more detailed description.

All inflammatory processes in the pancreas are pancreatitis. The acute form of inflammation is clinically manifested by obvious pain in the middle of the abdomen, in the navel area or upper part, more often in the hypochondrium. The disease may be accompanied by nausea, bowel disorder, vomiting. Echography shows an enlarged organ, swelling or destruction of the tissue structure. The chronic form is often asymptomatic, if there are clinical manifestations, they are short-term, but with relapses. Ultrasound examination determines the compaction of the organ quite accurately, cysts are often found, multiple small stones in the ducts.

Oncological processes of the pancreas on the echogram can be visualized variably depending on the stage. In any case, both the tissue structure and density differ sharply from the healthy state of the organ. Ultrasound quite accurately determines tumor invasions into the portal vein system, helps to decide on the advisability of resection. Ultrasound examination makes it possible to see pathological changes in the lymph nodes, deviations in the parameters of the gland, but does not provide specific information about the details of the process. Therefore, tumors are also recommended to be diagnosed using CT and other research methods.

Indications for ultrasound of the pancreas suggest the procedure to be performed as follows. The patient lies down on a couch, the specialist performing the echogram applies a special gel to the abdominal area, improving the contact of the sensor with the area being examined and electrical conductivity. The patient should take a deep breath so that the liver (left lobe) goes deeper into the peritoneum. The entire upper zone, including the lateral part, is subject to examination. If necessary, due to the anatomical specifics of the pancreas, the patient is sometimes asked to change position. There may be various nuances in the tactics of performing an echogram, depending on the patient's body weight, the purpose of the study. As a rule, indications for ultrasound of the pancreas, if generalized, come down to determining the shape of the organ, all other parameters are secondary. The shape of the organ normally tends to decrease towards the tail. Much less common are cases when the head is thicker and the tail is smaller. Before performing an ultrasound of the pancreas, it is recommended to examine the aorta, portal veins, that is, to assess the condition of all large vessels of the peritoneum. The normal diameter of the duct (GPD) is between 1 and 3 millimeters. The parenchyma should be of a homogeneous structure, visualized by small, frequent signals. Echogenicity is slightly reduced in small children, this is considered a sign of the norm for any indications for the study. The general norms of ultrasound examination are:

• Standard shape of the gland with a decrease in shape towards the tail;
• Quite clear and even outline drawing;
• Thickness not exceeding 3-3.5 mm;
• Homogeneous echogenicity, slightly higher than the echogenicity of the liver;
• The main pancreatic duct (MPD) has characteristic smooth walls, the diameter does not exceed three millimeters (often not visualized at all under normal conditions);
• The surrounding veins do not compress the head of the pancreas.

Indications for ultrasound examination of the pancreas are aimed at assessing the condition of the organ in various projections in order to timely detect both progressive and chronic diseases. The process itself does not take more than 10-15 minutes, but its value and information content for a complex of diagnostic measures are beyond doubt.

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