Application and progress of medical imaging in total mesopancreas excision for pancreatic head carcinoma

Pancreatic head carcinoma (PHC) is one of the common gastrointestinal malignancies with a high morbidity and poor prognosis. At present, radical surgery is still the curative treatment for PHC. However, in clinical practice, the actual R0 resection rate, the local recurrence rate, and the prognosis of PHC are unsatisfactory. Therefore, the concept of total mesopancreas excision (TMpE) is proposed to achieve R0 resection. Although there have various controversies and discussions on the definition, the range of excision, and clinical prognosis of TMpE, the concept of TMpE can effectively increase the R0 resection rate, reduce the local recurrence rate, and improve the prognosis of PHC. Imaging is of importance in preoperative examination for PHC; however, traditional imaging assessment of PHC does not focus on mesopancreas. This review discusses the application of medical imaging in TMpE for PHC, to provide more accurate preoperative evaluation, range of excision, and more valuable postoperative follow-up evaluation for TMpE through imaging. It is believed that with further extensive research and exploratory application of TMpE for PHC, large-sample and multicenter studies will be realized, thus providing reliable evidence for imaging evaluation.