IMAGING EVALUATION OF SEROUS CYSTADENOMAS AND MUCINOUS CYSTIC TUMORS OF THE PANCREAS

Objective To evaluate imaging features of the serous cystadenomas and mucinous cystic tumors of the pancreas.Methods The imaging findings in 59 patients with pathologically proven serous cystadenomas (SCs), mucinous cystadenomas (MCs), and mucinous cystadenocarcinomas (MCCs) of the pancreas were reviewed for location, thickness of septa or the cyst wall, number of cysts, diameter of the largest cyst, lesion calcification, presence of mural node or solid enhancing component, dilatation of the main pancreatic duct (MPD), lesion communication with MPD, invasion of surrounding organs, and regional lymphadenopathy.Results The characteristic imaging feature of SCs was that of microcystic lesion with ＞6 cysts, the diameter of the largest cyst being ＜2cm. Mucinous cystic tumors (MCTs) including MCs and MCCs were that of macrocystic lesion with ＜6 cysts, the diameter of the largest cyst being ＞2 cm. MCs was that of a lesion with smooth and regular cyst wall and septa, the wall/septa thickness being