Citation, DOI, disclosures and article data
Citation:
Khader.O.Thabet M, Bell D, Sharma R, et al. Duct penetrating sign (pancreas). Reference article, Radiopaedia.org (Accessed on 14 Mar 2025) https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-34265
Duct penetrating sign is a radiographic sign that can be useful in differentiating between focal pancreatitis (inflammatory pancreatic mass) from pancreatic carcinoma.
A positive sign is when a mass is penetrated by an unobstructed pancreatic duct; this makes focal pancreatitis the most likely cause rather than pancreatic carcinoma. This sign is best appreciated on MRCP (or ERCP).
The duct-penetrating sign on MRCP is more helpful in differentiating between these two entities than a delayed enhancement pattern on CT or MRI.
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1. Leyendecker JR, Elsayes KM, Gratz BI et-al. MR cholangiopancreatography: spectrum of pancreatic duct abnormalities. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2002;179 (6): 1465-71. doi:10.2214/ajr.179.6.1791465 - Pubmed citation
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2. Ichikawa T, Sou H, Araki T et-al. Duct-penetrating sign at MRCP: usefulness for differentiating inflammatory pancreatic mass from pancreatic carcinomas. Radiology. 2001;221 (1): 107-16. doi:10.1148/radiol.2211001157 - Pubmed citation
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