Standard slices in pancreatic ultrasound

The article was professionally consulted by Specialist Doctor I Nguyen Thi Mai - Radiologist - Diagnostic Imaging Department - Vinmec Phu Quoc International General Hospital. Dr. Mai has many years of experience working in the field of diagnostic imaging.

The pancreas is an organ located deep in the abdomen, in front of the spine and behind the peritoneum, with an exocrine function of producing and secreting pancreatic juice to aid in the digestion of food and an endocrine function to help regulate sugar metabolism. Therefore, diseases of the pancreas can cause dangerous complications for the body. In order to detect these diseases early, ultrasound of the pancreas is an indispensable tool to help doctors diagnose as well as provide appropriate treatment.

Pancreatic ultrasound is an imaging technique that helps to examine the pancreas directly instead of indirectly through X-rays to help detect abnormalities in the body's pancreas. However, ultrasound of the pancreas is also difficult because:
The pancreas is an organ located behind the peritoneum. The owner of the pancreas is small, weighing only about 60-125g. Air in the stomach and colon obstructs the view of the pancreas.

Accordingly, pancreatic ultrasound will be indicated in the following cases:
Patient has symptoms: jaundice, epigastric pain, vomiting, rapid weight loss Prolonged diarrhea Left pleural effusion Alcoholism Dysmenorrhoea Chronic Abdominal Trauma To monitor complications of acute pancreatitis and disease progression through treatment.

There are a total of 6 pancreatic ultrasound slices that are frequently used as follows:
Longitudinal section of the pancreas: is a slice from left to right (equivalent from the head of the pancreas to the tail of the pancreas) to help visualize structures such as: duodenum adjacent to pancreatic head, pancreatic head, common bile duct, vena cava, superior mesenteric vein, pancreatic hook, pancreatic body, splenic vein, superior mesenteric artery, aorta and artery, vein Renal vein Transverse section of the head of the pancreas: is a section made from top to bottom to help visualize the head of the pancreas, vena cava and splenic vein, superior mesenteric vein, pancreatic hook, and common bile duct Cross section of the body of the pancreas : is a section made from top to bottom that can visualize the body of the pancreas, the splenic vein, the superior mesenteric artery, the aorta, the vena cava, the left renal artery, and the left renal vein. : is a slice from top to bottom that is placed across the body of the pancreas to help see the tail of the pancreas, splenic vein, and gas in the stomach Horizontal view, at the window to examine the spleen to help observe the tail of the pancreas, spleen, and kidney The longitudinal section of the tail of the pancreas through the spleen: is a slice from front to back with a probe placed along the body, at the spleen examination window to help observe tail of pancreas, spleen, left kidney.

Some causes that can lead to difficulties in ultrasound of the pancreas are as follows:
Patient is too fat Paralytic ileus Newly operated or laparoscopy gastrointestinal tract with Baryte In addition, on ultrasound of the pancreas there may be errors in observation and diagnosis such as:
Solid retroperitoneal tumor, especially adrenal gland tumor (T) Visceral and longitudinal aortic lymph nodes Cysts in other viscera Colonic waste Confusion of dilated Wirsung duct with Splenic vein Pancreatic ultrasound is a way to help detect and diagnose some pancreatic diseases quickly and effectively. If you suspect you have pancreatic disease, you can go to Vinmec International General Hospital System. This is one of the prestigious hospitals equipped with the most modern generation of color ultrasound systems today in examining and treating patients. One of them is GE Healthcarecar's Logig E9 ultrasound machine with full options, HD resolution probes for clear images, accurate assessment of lesions. In addition, a team of experienced doctors and nurses will greatly assist in diagnosing and early detection of abnormal signs of the body in order to provide timely treatment for pancreatic diseases.