Profile of computed tomography scan findings of patients diagnosed with pancreatic neoplasm at Dr. George Mukhari Academic Hospital, Ga‑Rankuwa, Pretoria, South Africa

Abstract

Background: The aim of this study is to determine the profile of abdominal computed tomography (CT)  scan findings of patients diagnosed with pancreatic adenocarcinoma and other pancreatic neoplasm that  simulates pancreatic adenocarcinoma, which constitute the majority of pancreatic neoplasm at Dr. George  Mukhari Academic Hospital, Ga-Rankuwa, Pretoria, South Africa.
Materials and Methods: A prospective study of abdominal CT scans of 67 patients, aged 12 years and older,  with histologically confirmed pancreatic neoplasms, including their medical records and laboratory results,  from November 1, 2013 to June 30, 2017, was conducted. CT scan images were acquired with 128 slices, Philips, and GE CT scanners. Statistical analysis was made using a Statistical Program for the Social Sciences software SPSS (version 22.0).
Results: There were 36 females(53.7%) and 31 males(46.3%) in this series and four demised. The ages of the patients ranged from 12 to 90 years. The most common clinical presentation was obstructive jaundice (86.6%). The predominant histological diagnosis was adenocarcinoma (74.6%), followed by primary lymphoma of the pancreas (13.4%) and 65.7% of the pancreatic neoplasms were unresectable, while most of the other pancreatic neoplasms based on their CT scan findings masqueraded as pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Pancreatic adenocarcinoma demonstrated both typical and atypical CT scan findings.
Conclusion: Accurate diagnosis and appropriate management of pancreatic neoplasms are important because of their high morbidity and mortality. The majority of the pancreatic neoplasms were unresectable at the time of their presentation. A multidisciplinary management team is recommended since pancreatic neoplasms still remain a serious clinical challenge.