Chronic Pancreatitis Diagnosis: A Comprehensive Study of Ultrasonography and CT Imaging Techniques.

Background: Chronic pancreatitis is a long-standing inflammation of the pancreas that leads to permanent damage and impairment of its functions. Accurate diagnosis is crucial for effective management. This study aims to evaluate and compare the effectiveness of ultrasonography (US) and computed tomography (CT) in diagnosing chronic pancreatitis, highlighting their respective advantages and limitations. Materials and Methods: This observational study was conducted over 18 months in the Department of Radiodiagnosis at a tertiary care hospital. The study included 10 patients presenting with clinical symptoms suggestive of chronic pancreatitis. Initial evaluations were performed using a Samsung HS 40 ultrasonography machine, followed by CT scans using a Philips MX 16-slice CT scanner. The pancreas was assessed for size, echogenicity, duct dilatation, calcifications, and parenchymal changes. Data were analyzed using SPSS 22.0 software to determine the sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic accuracy of both imaging modalities. Results: The study population consisted of 10 patients with a mean age of 29 years, predominantly male (70%). The most common etiologies were idiopathic (50%) and alcoholism (30%). Ultrasonography visualized the pancreas in all cases, identifying duct dilatation (90%) and calcifications (80%) as common findings. CT confirmed these findings and provided additional details, detecting calcifications in 90% of patients and pancreatic atrophy in 60%. Both modalities effectively visualized the pancreas, but CT demonstrated higher sensitivity in detecting calcifications and structural changes. Conclusion: Ultrasonography is valuable for the initial evaluation of chronic pancreatitis due to its non-invasive nature and accessibility. However, CT provides a more detailed and comprehensive assessment, essential for confirming the diagnosis and identifying complications. The complementary use of both imaging modalities enhances diagnostic accuracy and aids in effective management of chronic pancreatitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]