Recent imaging progresses in the diagnosis of pancreatic disorders

Abstract

Recent imaging progresses were reviewed for the diagnosis of pancreatic disorders. The advent of the ultrasound contrast agents (Levovist^®and Sonazoid^®) enabled the combined diagnosis of plain B-mode images and contrast-enhanced images. This progress became applicable for endoscopic ultrasonography diagnosis with the electronic scanning method. Diffusion weighted imaging, which utilizes an image enhanced by the proton diffusion of a water molecule within cellular cytoplasm or extracellular fluid, and perfusion CT may be important to recognize the present status of diagnostic imaging.