Using numerous high-quality illustrations, this volume assesses strengths and limitations of techniques for the imaging of pancreatitis. Ultrasound, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging and interventional imaging are considered separately in the settings of acute and chronic pancreatitis, with an additional section on imaging of complications. The significance of the imaging findings for clinical and therapeutic decision making is clearly explained, and protocols are provided to help obtain the best possible images.

This issue of MRI Clinics of North America focuses on MR Imaging of the Pancreas, and is edited by Drs. Kumar Sandrasegaran and Dushyant V. Sahani. Articles will include: Advanced MRI Techniques for Pancreas Imaging; PET/MRI for Pancreatic Diseases; The Role of MRI in Pancreas Cancer; Genetics of Pancreatic Neoplasms and Role of Screening; Cystic Pancreatic Tumors; Rare Pancreatic Tumors; Autoimmune Pancreatitis; Routine MRI for Pancreas; Neuroendocrine Tumors; Acute Pancreatitis: How Can MRI Help; Chronic Pancreatitis: What the Clinician Wants to Know from MRI; and more!

The 2nd edition of 'Radiology of the Pancreas'discusses and illustrates the normal radiological anatomy of the pancreas and the radiological features presented by both common and uncommon diseases. The role of the newest imaging modalities is fully considered. All the authors are recognized experts, and the book should be of value to all radiologists and other specialists with an interest in the field.

For a long time the morphologic diagnosis of diseases of the pancreas - which is the most hidden organ of the abdomen - by means of radiologic methods was inade quate. Diagnostic radiology of pancreatic diseases has been revolutionized by new cross-sectional methods such as computed tomography with volume CT scanning, further progress in ultrasonography in the form of color duplex Doppler, and magnetic resonance imaging. Therefore we had the idea of publishing an up-to-date treatise on radiology of the pancreas in order to convey the contributions made by various new imaging modalities for the diagnosis of pancreatic disorders. The editors of this volume are outstanding specialists in diagnostic radiology of the abdomen. Albert L. Baert is the author of one of the very first books on computed tomography of the body, published by Springer-Verlag in 1980. Since then he has published extensively on this method, especially as it is applied to the abdomen. He is a well-known teacher on computed tomography of the body, and especially the pancreas, and on diagnostic angiography. As a publisher he is active on the editorial boards of several radiologic journals. Guy Delorme has published extensively on the radio diagnosis of the digestive system. Moreover he has been very active as editor of French textbooks and was the chief editor of the volume dealing with the liver, biliary ducts, spleen, and pancreas in the prestigious series Traite du radiodiagnostic covering the whole field of diagnostic radiology.

This issue reviews and updates a variety of topics in pancreatic imaging. Pearls on the Multiphasic CT of the pancreas are offered, along with the key MRI techniques for pancreatic imaging. Emerging CT, MR and US techniques for pancreatic evaluation (such as dual energy, DCMRI, spectroscopy, and US contrast) are elucidated. Ultrasound for pancreatic imaging is given a thorough review. An update on staging and resectability of pancreatic adenocarcinoma is discussed. Acute and chronic pancreatitis are reviewed, as well as cystic pancreatic lesions, congenital pancreatic anomalies, uncommon solid pancreatic neoplasms, and other pancreatic pathology. Post-operative imaging of the pancreas is discussed, and finally, an update on endoscopic techniques for the pancreas is provided.

The development and the widespread clinical application of various di agnostic imaging modalities, such as diagnostic ultrasonography, X-ray computed tomography, single photon emission computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging, have been beyond all expectation. In particular, ultrasonography and X-ray computed tomography have be come major diagnostic tools for diseases of the liver, the biliary tract, and the pancreas. They often have virtually replaced other conventional imag ing modalities including invasive angiography and percutaneous trans he patic cholangiography. One modality may complement or conflict with another or other modalities. Each modality should be carefully selected with due regard for its diagnostic efficacy. In this book, the first section contains nine chapters dealing with current techniques of each diagnostic modality applicable to the liver, the biliary tract, and the pancreas. The second section deals with diseases of the liver, the biliary tract, and the pancreas and takes the form of case presentation with discussion of the significance of diagnostic imagings and diagnostic procedure. Preparation of the manuscript was made possible by the help of Dr. S. Fujita, who prepared the photographs, and Mrs. Sobajima, who typed the original manuscript. Dr. S. Miura and Miss Y. Shimizu under took the labor of translating our manuscript from Japanese into English. I would like to express my deep appreciation to all these persons, as well as to the contributors to this book, and also to the publishers, Shujunsha, Japan and Springer-Verlag.

Ultrasonography (US) has long been considered an important diagnostic imaging modality for investigation of the pancreas despite certain significant and well-known limitations. Indeed, in many countries US represents the first step in the diagnostic algorithm for pancreatic pathologies. Recent years have witnessed major advances in conventional, harmonic, and Doppler imaging. New technologies, softwares, and techniques, such as volumetric imaging, enhancement quantification, and fusion imaging, are increasing the diagnostic capabilities of US. The injection of microbubble contrast agents allows better tissue characterization with definitive differentiation between solid and cystic lesions. Contrast-enhanced US improves the characterization of pancreatic tumors, assists in local and liver staging, and can offer savings in both time and money. Acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) imaging is a promising new US method to test, without manual compression, the mechanical strain properties of deep tissues. Furthermore, the applications and indications for interventional, endoscopic, and intraoperative US have undergone significant improvement and refinement. This book provides a complete overview of all these technological developments and their impact on the assessment of pancreatic pathologies. Percutaneous, endoscopic, and intraoperative US of the pancreas are discussed in detail, with precise description of findings and with informative imaging (CT and MRI) and pathologic correlations.