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What Does This Trans Abdominal Ultrasound Report Indicate?
Question: A transabdominal ultrasound found a small hyperechoic mass on the tail of my pancreas that didn't show up on an earlier CT scan or on a subsequent CT scan with pancreatic protocol. It is small and has not grown (after a one-year follow-up), and it's located on the edge of the splenic vein.
The radiologist said it's benign and to forget about it; what could this be, and should I get a second opinion? I've copied the radiologist's notes below (for the second scan 4 months after the first):
FINDINGS: Well circumscribed heterogeneously hyperechoic focus in the tail of the pancreas is redemonstrated measuring 6 x 3 x 5 mm, previously measured 8 x 4 x 4 mm. No distal pancreatic atrophy or ductal dilatation is seen. Normal acinar
architecture is appreciated. Normal vascular structures are present.
The radiologist said it's benign and to forget about it; what could this be, and should I get a second opinion? I've copied the radiologist's notes below (for the second scan 4 months after the first):
FINDINGS: Well circumscribed heterogeneously hyperechoic focus in the tail of the pancreas is redemonstrated measuring 6 x 3 x 5 mm, previously measured 8 x 4 x 4 mm. No distal pancreatic atrophy or ductal dilatation is seen. Normal acinar
architecture is appreciated. Normal vascular structures are present.
Brief Answer:
if the CT is clear, no worries
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
a hyperechoic mass could be a hemangioma, a pseudocyst with debris, a stone, a protein plug, a vascular calcification or focal chronic pancreatitis. No malignant cause is between the potential diagnoses I've mentioned.
A CT scan or MRI scan is a better test compared to the ultrasound scan. If these scans are negative then you shouldn't worry about the "mass". An even close look can be achieved by endoscopic ultrasound scan, but I don't see the need for it with the current data.
I hope you find my comments helpful!
You can contact me again, if you'd like any clarification or further information.
Kind Regards!
if the CT is clear, no worries
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
a hyperechoic mass could be a hemangioma, a pseudocyst with debris, a stone, a protein plug, a vascular calcification or focal chronic pancreatitis. No malignant cause is between the potential diagnoses I've mentioned.
A CT scan or MRI scan is a better test compared to the ultrasound scan. If these scans are negative then you shouldn't worry about the "mass". An even close look can be achieved by endoscopic ultrasound scan, but I don't see the need for it with the current data.
I hope you find my comments helpful!
You can contact me again, if you'd like any clarification or further information.
Kind Regards!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Brief Answer:
it is possible
Detailed Answer:
You're welcome!
It is possible to have a hemangioma in the pancreas too. The CT scan is indeed a better modality than the ultrasound scan regarding the pancreatic diseases. Actually the ultrasound scan is rarely enough to evaluate the pancreas because it's deeply located and the fat and gas between the organ and the transducer 'blurs' its image.
Kind Regards!
it is possible
Detailed Answer:
You're welcome!
It is possible to have a hemangioma in the pancreas too. The CT scan is indeed a better modality than the ultrasound scan regarding the pancreatic diseases. Actually the ultrasound scan is rarely enough to evaluate the pancreas because it's deeply located and the fat and gas between the organ and the transducer 'blurs' its image.
Kind Regards!
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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