Pitfalls in Pancreatic Imaging

Introduction The use of multidetector computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with imaging protocols optimized for imaging of the pancreas has improved the localization as well as the detection and the characterization of pancreatic lesions. Although the typical radiological appearances of common pancreatic lesions is well known, there are several potential pitfalls that can be encountered in pancreatic imaging, such as pancreatic anatomical variants mimicking pancreatic lesions, inflammatory conditions mimicking malignancy, atypical radiological appearance of pancreatic adenocarcinoma, and cystic pancreatic lesions and peripancreatic lesions mimicking intrapancreatic lesions. An understanding of these potential pitfalls in pancreatic imaging is essential to avoid misdiagnosis that can result in inappropriate patient management.