CASE-REPORT - MUCINOUS DUCTAL ECTASIA OF THE PANCREAS

Cross-sectional imaging has led to earlier detection and greater empha sis on pre-operative classification of pancreatic cysts (10% of which are neoplastic). The radiological features of extraductal serous (micr ocystic) or mucinous (macrocystic) neoplasms are well described [1-3]. Attention recently has focused on the less commonly observed pancreat ic intraductal tumours. Intraductal tumours arise from the epithelium lining the pancreatic ducts [4] and are characterized by papillary hyp erplasia and excessive mucin production [4]. Depending on their locati on, mucin hypersecreting tumours result in dilatation principally of e ither the main or a side branch of the pancreatic ducts [4,5]. When th e tumour is located within a side branch, passive dilatation of this s ide branch results in a specific radiological and pathological entity known as mucinous ductal ectasia (MDE). We present the characteristic imaging cross-sectional features of MDE including the magnetic resonan ce cholangio-pancreatography (MRCP) appearances which have not been pr eviously described.