Evaluation and treatment decision of pancreatic tumors by use of MRI with MRCP imaging

Background: Pancreatic cancer is one of the most malignant tumors. Symptoms are usually nonspecific and insidious such that the cancer is advanced by the time of diagnosis. The aim of our work was to investigate the use of MRI and MRCP in diagnosis of the patients suspected of pancreatic carcinoma and to determine the role of these methods in the evaluation of resectability of pancreatic cancer in comparison to surgical findings. Material/Methods: Forty-nine patients (33 men and 16 women) aged 44-82 had undergone to MRI and MRCP imagination of the upper abdomen on 1.5 T system with use of a standard flexible surface coil. The results of those radiological diagnostic tests were compare to the surgical findings and histopathological examination. The capacity of MR and MRCP to detect pathological mass, assess disease process nature and accuracy of assessment of the resectability of the malignant lesion were evaluated. In the statistical analysis test X2 and Fisher's precise test were performed. Results: A statistical analysis determined 88% sensitivity, 95% specifity and 94% exactness of MRI and MRCP in the evaluation of nature of tumors within the pancreas and 100% sensitivity, 91% specificity and 95% accuracy in determining the resectability of the lesion. The positive predictive value came to 83%, while the negative predictive value to 100%. The Kappa compatibility index in comparison with a surgical findings came to 0.85714. Conclusions: MR and MRCP appears an important stage in diagnosis and in assessment of pancreatic tumors. By the estimation of tumor respectability it aids clinical management.