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Prevalence of unsuspected pancreatic cysts on MDCT
Thomas A Laffan1, Karen M Horton, Alison P Klein
1School of Medicine and Medical Science, University College Dublin, Dublin 4, Ireland.
Objective:
Current generation MDCT technology facilitates identification of small, nonenhancing lesions in the pancreas. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of findings of unsuspected pancreatic cysts on 16-MDCT in a population of adult outpatients imaged for disease unrelated to the pancreas.
Materials And Methods:
Contrast-enhanced MDCT scans of the abdomen were reviewed from 2,832 consecutive examinations to identify pancreatic cysts. Patients with a history of pancreatic lesions or predisposing factors for pancreatic disease or who were referred for pancreatic CT were excluded.
Results:
A total of 73 patients had pancreatic cysts, representing a prevalence of 2.6 per 100 patients (95% CI, 2.0-3.2). Cysts ranged in size from 2 to 38 mm (mean, 8.9 mm) and were solitary in 85% of cases. Analysis of demographic information showed a strong correlation between pancreatic cysts and age, with no cysts identified among patients under 40 years and a prevalence of 8.7 per 100 (95% CI, 4.6-12.9) in individuals from 80 to 89 years. After controlling for age, cysts were more common in individuals of the Asian race than all other race categories, with an odds ratio of 3.57 (95% CI, 1.05-12.13). There was no difference by sex in the prevalence of cysts (p = 0.527); however, cysts were on average 3.6 mm larger (p = 0.014) in men than women.
Conclusion:
In this outpatient population, the prevalence of unsuspected pancreatic cysts identified on 16-MDCT was 2.6%. Cyst presence strongly correlated with increasing age and the Asian race.
Insights
The study found that 2.6% of outpatients had unsuspected pancreatic cysts, with prevalence increasing with age and higher in Asian individuals. This highlights the importance of multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) in detecting these lesions.
Area of Science:
- Radiology and Imaging
- Gastroenterology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Modern multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) technology enables detection of small, non-enhancing pancreatic lesions.
- Pancreatic cysts are increasingly identified, necessitating understanding of their prevalence and associated factors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of incidental pancreatic cysts detected via 16-MDCT in an outpatient setting.
- To investigate demographic correlations, including age, race, and sex, with the presence of pancreatic cysts.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 2,832 contrast-enhanced abdominal MDCT scans.
- Exclusion of patients with prior pancreatic issues or those referred for pancreatic imaging.
- Analysis of cyst prevalence and characteristics in relation to patient demographics.
Main Results:
- A prevalence of 2.6% for unsuspected pancreatic cysts was observed.
- Cyst prevalence significantly correlated with increasing age, with none in those under 40 and 8.7% in individuals aged 80-89.
- Individuals of Asian race showed a higher prevalence (OR 3.57), and cysts were larger in men than women.
Conclusions:
- The prevalence of incidental pancreatic cysts on 16-MDCT in this outpatient cohort is 2.6%.
- Increasing age and Asian race are significant correlating factors for pancreatic cyst presence.
- Findings underscore the utility of MDCT in identifying pancreatic cysts and suggest demographic associations.
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