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CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 · Ultrasound Int Open 2021; 07(01): E35-E44
DOI: 10.1055/a-1542-9146
Original Article

Diagnostic Accuracy of Transabdominal Ultrasound and Computed Tomography in Chronic Pancreatitis: A Head-to-Head Comparison

Ingrid Kvåle Nordaas 
1   National Centre for Ultrasound in Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Helse Bergen HF, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
2   Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
,
Trond Engjom
1   National Centre for Ultrasound in Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Helse Bergen HF, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
2   Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
,
Odd Helge Gilja
1   National Centre for Ultrasound in Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Helse Bergen HF, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
2   Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
,
Roald Flesland Havre 
1   National Centre for Ultrasound in Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Helse Bergen HF, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
2   Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
,
Dag André Sangnes
1   National Centre for Ultrasound in Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Helse Bergen HF, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
2   Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
,
Ingfrid S. Haldorsen
2   Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
3   Mohn Medical Imaging and Visualization Centre, Department of Radiology, Helse Bergen HF, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
,
Georg Dimcevski
1   National Centre for Ultrasound in Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Helse Bergen HF, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
2   Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
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Abstract

Purpose Computed tomography (CT) is the most used imaging modality for diagnosing chronic pancreatitis (CP), but advances in transabdominal ultrasound (US) technology have given US a position as a viable alternative. We aimed to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of abdominal CT and pancreatic US compared to the reference standard, a modified Mayo score.

Materials and Methods CT, US, and endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) were performed in patients referred due to suspected CP. The modified Mayo score included EUS results, clinical presentation, and results from exocrine and endocrine pancreatic function tests. We scored CT findings according to the modified Cambridge classification and US findings according to the Rosemont classification.

Results In total, 73 patients were included. 53 patients (73%) were categorized as CP and 20 (27%) as non-CP. CT and US yielded similar sensitivities (68% and 64%, respectively) and specificities (75 and 85%, respectively) and similar areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves for diagnosing CP. We found no significant differences between the areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUROCs) for CT (AUROC 0.75, 95% CI 0.63–0.87) and US (AUROC 0.81, 95% CI 0.71–0.91).

Conclusion We conclude that CT and US had comparable, moderate accuracy in diagnosing CP. Neither modality had high enough sensitivity to exclude the diagnosis as a standalone method.

Key words

chronic pancreatitis - CT  - pancreas  - pancreatitis - ultrasound


Publication History

Received: 05 March 2021
Received: 02 June 2021

Accepted: 19 June 2021

Article published online:
24 August 2021

© 2021. The Author(s). This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonDerivative-NonCommercial-License, permitting copying and reproduction so long as the original work is given appropriate credit. Contents may not be used for commercial purposes, or adapted, remixed, transformed or built upon. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).

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