Computed Tomography Reflected Endocrine Function of the Pancreas

Backgrouns/Aims: There are few studies about the assessment of pancreatic function using computed tomography (CT) volumetry. In this study, we examined the correlation between CT volumetry and endocrine parameters (blood glucose and HbA1c) of the pancreas. Methods: A total of 68 patients underwent enhanced CT for pancreatic disease from January to December in 2008. In particular, we analyzed the correlation of diabetic status and pancreatic CT parameters at 1 year after pancreatoduodenectomy in 32 patients. CT parameters including volume, volume/body weight, arterial phase density, the arterial phase to portal phase density ratio (A/P ratio) of the pancreas, and size of pancreatic duct were also analyzed. Correlation between CT parameters and diabetic status was analyzed preoperatively and postoperatively by ANOVA test. Results: The preoperative diabetic status and parameters correlated well with arterial phase density (p = 0. 004), A/P ratio, and pancreatic duct size (p < 0. 0001). In the patients who underwent pancreatectomy, two out of 25 patients without preoperative diabetes mellitus (DM) had DM, and two out of seven patients with preoperative DM recovered from DM. Postoperative CT parameters correlated with the DM status 1 year after pancreatectomy. Conclusion: CT is a useful modality for evaluation of the pancreatic endocrine function and could be used for the prediction of postoperative diabetic outcome.