Assessment of exocrine pancreatic function by secretin-stimulated magnetic resonance cholangiopancreaticography and diffusion-weighted imaging in healthy controls

J Magn Reson Imaging. 2014 Feb;39(2):448-54. doi: 10.1002/jmri.24167. Epub 2013 May 6.

Abstract

Purpose: To characterize and quantify exocrine pancreatic function by secretin-stimulated magnetic resonance cholangiopancreaticography (s-MRCP) and diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) in healthy subjects and compare these findings to morphological features, ie, pancreatic volume and secretin-stimulated peak bicarbonate concentration measured in pancreatic juice.

Materials and methods: Pancreatic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) (1.5 T) was performed in 20 healthy volunteers among which 10 underwent gastroscopy with duodenal intubation. MRI included T2-weighted imaging and DWI acquired before and 1, 5, 9, and 13 minutes after secretin administration. Secreted pancreatic juice volumes were calculated based on the sequential T2-weighted images and pancreatic volumes and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values were estimated.

Results: The mean pancreatic secretion rate declined from 9.5 mL/min at 1-5 minutes (postsecretin) to 2.9 mL/min at 9-13 minutes. Pancreatic head ADC values significantly increased from baseline (1.29 × 10(-3) mm(2) /s) to 1 minute postsecretin (1.48 × 10(-3) mm(2) /s) (P = 0.003). Secreted pancreatic juice volume at 1 minute after secretin correlated positively with peak bicarbonate concentration (n = 10, P = 0.05).

Conclusion: Secretin-stimulated MRCP and DWI can characterize and quantify exocrine pancreatic function in healthy subjects. These imaging methods may prove relevant for patients with exocrine pancreatic dysfunction.

Keywords: diffusion-weighted MRI; exocrine pancreatic function; pancreas; secretin-stimulated MRCP.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Child
  • Cholangiopancreatography, Magnetic Resonance / methods*
  • Contrast Media / pharmacokinetics
  • Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pancreas, Exocrine / anatomy & histology
  • Pancreas, Exocrine / metabolism*
  • Reference Values
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Secretin / pharmacokinetics*
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Contrast Media
  • Secretin