Pancreas

Protocol

• You must always evaluate the entire organ first before you store an image
• You should understand completely why you stored the image and identify everything in the image
• Multiple breathing techniques may be required

Organ/ Scan Plane Label Key Landmarks Identified

Order
• Pancreas head
PANCREAS • Portal splenic confluence
• CBD
o If CBD is enlarged, measure internal AP diameter
Transverse
• Pancreas body
Pancreas plane on
PANCREAS • Aorta
the body
• Measurement
o If pancreatic duct is seen measure internal AP diameter
PANCREAS • Pancreas tail
• Splenic vein
• Pancreas head
PANCREAS SAG
• Liver
HEAD
• IVC
• Pancreas neck
PANCREAS SAG • Uncinate process
Sagittal
NECK • Liver
Pancreas plane on
• SMV
the body
• Pancreas body
PANCREAS SAG
• Liver
BODY
• Aorta
PANCREAS SAG • Pancreas tail
TAIL • Splenic vein

Normal Measurement Ranges

Structure Area of Interest Plane Measurement Comments
Common Bile Head of the Transverse <7-8 mm • Only performed if abnormalities are
Duct pancreas plane on suspected
the body • If duct is enlarged measure internal duct
diameter anterior to posterior
Pancreas Head Transverse 2-3.5 cm • Only performed if abnormalities are
plane on suspected
the body
Pancreatic Duct Body of the Transverse 2 mm or less • Only performed if duct is seen
pancreas plane on • If duct is enlarged measure internal duct
the body diameter anterior to posterior

AK\backup\Abdomen I\Protocols
 Pancreas Protocol

Common Laboratory Values to be Reviewed prior to Examination

Lab Value Organ Level Indication or Association
Amylase • Pancreas Increased • Pancreatitis or other pancreatic disease
Lipase • Pancreas Increased • Pancreatitis or other pancreatic disease

• Tips
o Have patient poke out their abdomen or take in a deep breath if having trouble seeing the pancreas
o Patient may drink water through a straw to create a fluid window if necessary
o Tail may be evaluated using the spleen as a window

• Pathology Seen
o Gray scale sagittal and transverse images
o Gray scale sagittal and transverse images with 3 measurements (length, width and height)
o Color Doppler image to document the presence of blood flow
o Spectral Doppler image to document type and velocity of blood flow

AK\backup\Abdomen I\Protocols