Assessment of exocrine pancreatic function by secretin‐stimulated magnetic resonance cholangiopancreaticography and diffusion‐weighted imaging in healthy controls

Abstract

Secretin-stimulated MRCP and DWI can characterize and quantify exocrine pancreatic function in healthy subjects. These imaging methods may prove relevant for patients with exocrine pancreatic dysfunction.

Functional MRI of human pancreas using BOLD contrast: Responses following glucose ingestion

“…Hence, a single round ROI drawn within the pancreatic parenchyma is widely adopted and proved useful in previous studies. 9,34,35 We repeatedly analyzed three timepoints (-3, 2, and 7 min), and reproducible image reading results were obtained. Fifth, a TE interval of 1.13 msec (half of the oscillation period), which could diminish the effect of the fat content, was not chosen, as it would require more acquisition time.…”

“…Since the pancreas appears lobulated and very close to adjacent vessels, it turns out to be quite difficult to include all the pancreatic parenchyma without including surrounding fat and tissues in practice. Hence, a single round ROI drawn within the pancreatic parenchyma is widely adopted and proved useful in previous studies . We repeatedly analyzed three timepoints (–3, 2, and 7 min), and reproducible image reading results were obtained.…”

“…Diffusion‐weighted (DW) MRI does not require contrast material injection, and can be quantified by apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC). The increases in pancreatic ADCs after secretin stimulation have been reported; however, it is difficult to interpret the physiological implication of these findings …”

“…The increases in pancreatic ADCs after secretin stimulation have been reported; however, it is difficult to interpret the physiological implication of these findings. 8,9 Blood oxygen level-dependent (BOLD) MRI, which derives its contrast from endogenous deoxyhemoglobin, can serve as a noninvasive method to assess tissue oxygenation in vivo. 10 The paramagnetic deoxyhemoglobin accelerates the magnetic spin dephasing, thereby resulting in short T Ã 2 values.…”

Advances in Diffusion-Weighted Imaging

“…Several studies are available on pancreatic lesion detection 28,29 and characterization, 30–32 normal pancreatic parenchyma, 33,34 and pancreatic function. 35,36 …”