Ultrasonograms and histological findings of the postmortem pancreas.

The exact relationship between ultrasonograms and histological findings of the pancreas was investigated in 24 postmortem materials consisting of II cases of normal pancreas, 9 of pancreatic tumor and 4 of chronic pancreatitis, Normal pancreas showed a smooth contour and a homogeneous echo pattern with uniform echo intensity which was 10 dB higher than that of the normal liver. Pancreatic tumor generally showed an irregular contour, low echo intensity and a heterogeneous echo pattern. Mild chronic pancreatitis manifesting acinar atrophy, fally replacement and fibrosis showed a smooth contour and a homogeneous, dense echo pattern with elevated echo intensity. The pancreas with only marked fatty replacement showed the same ultrasonographic image as mild chronic pancreatitis. Pancreatic calculi produced scattered reDective echoes making a heterogeneous echo pattern, The pancreas with advanced chronic pancreatitis, in which the parenchyma was entirely replaced by fibrous tissue associated with ductal dilatation, showed an irregular contour and low echo intensity, almost the same as that of pancreatic tumor, but the homogeneous echo pattern enabled the author to differentiate advanced chronic pancreatitis from pancreatic tumor.