Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 1, 2026

Normothermic Ex Vivo Pancreas Perfusion for the Preservation of Pancreas Allografts before Transplantation
Published on: July 27, 2022
Hypervascular lesions of the pancreas: Think before you act
Susan M Wcislak1, Zachary E Stiles1, Jeremiah L Deneve1
1Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA.
Background:
The "classic" CT appearance of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PNETs) is a solid, hypervascular lesion; however, non-PNET diagnoses may appear similar. In addition, some PNETs have a "non-classic" appearance.
Methods:
Demographic, imaging, endoscopic ultrasound-fine needle aspiration (EUS/FNA) results, and pathology data were analyzed for patients who underwent pancreatectomy for suspected or confirmed diagnosis of PNET from our institutional database.
Results:
Forty-three patients with a hypervascular lesion on CT had pancreatectomy for a pre-operative diagnosis of PNET. Final pathology revealed PNET in 30 (70%) and non-PNET diagnoses in 13 (30%). EUS/FNA had a sensitivity of 82% for the pre-operative diagnosis of PNET in patients with "classic" CT. Of 13 non-PNET diagnoses, 7 were benign. Among a total of 41 patients with a final diagnosis of PNET, 11 (27%) had "non-classic" CT (5 hypodense solid lesions, 3 isodense solid lesions, and 3 cystic lesions). Among these patients, EUS/FNA had a sensitivity of 100% in diagnosing PNET.
Conclusions:
Consideration of non-PNET diagnoses is important for patients with hypervascular lesions on CT. Appropriate pre-operative evaluation will optimize treatment plans.
Related Concept Videos
Pancreas
The broad head of the pancreas lies within the loop formed by the duodenum, while its slender body reaches towards the spleen. The tail of the pancreas is short...
Cells and Secretions of the Pancreas
Exocrine function is carried out by acinar cells, organized into clusters known as acini. These cells contribute to digestion by releasing substantial quantities of enzyme-rich, alkaline digestive juices.
Concurrently, the dispersed clusters of endocrine cells throughout the...
Accessory Organs
Hormonal Regulation
Translesion DNA Polymerases
TLS polymerases are found in all three domains of life - archaea, bacteria, and eukaryotes. Of the different classes of TLS polymerases, members of the Y family are fitted with specialized structures that...
Embryonic Stem Cells

