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World J Gastroenterol. Feb 28, 2008; 14(8): 1218-1221
Published online Feb 28, 2008. doi: 10.3748/wjg.14.1218
Diagnosis of mild chronic pancreatitis (Cambridge classification): Comparative study using secretin injection-magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography and endoscopic retrograde pancreatography
Jin Kan Sai, Masafumi Suyama, Yoshihiro Kubokawa, Sumio Watanabe
Jin Kan Sai, Masafumi Suyama, Yoshihiro Kubokawa, Sumio Watanabe, Department of Gastroenterology. Juntendo University, 2-1-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan
Correspondence to: Dr. Jin Kan Sai, Department of Gastro-enterology, Juntendo University, 2-1-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan. jinkans@med.juntendo.ac.jp
Telephone: +81-3-58021061
Fax: +81-3-56845960
Received: September 8, 2007
Revised: November 16, 2007
Published online: February 28, 2008
Abstract

AIM: To investigate the usefulness of secretin injection-MRCP for the diagnosis of mild chronic pancreatitis.

METHODS: Sixteen patients having mild chronic pancreatitis according to the Cambridge classification and 12 control subjects with no abnormal findings on the pancreatogram were examined for the diagnostic accuracy of secretin injection-MRCP regarding abnormal branch pancreatic ducts associated with mild chronic pancreatitis (Cambridge Classification), using endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) for comparison.

RESULTS: The sensitivity and specificity for abnormal branch pancreatic ducts determined by two reviewers were respectively 55%-63% and 75%-83% in the head, 57%-64% and 82%-83% in the body, and 44%-44% and 72%-76% in the tail of the pancreas. The sensitivity and specificity for mild chronic pancreatitis were 56%-63% and 92%-92%, respectively. Interobserver agreement (κ statistics) concerning the diagnosis of an abnormal branch pancreatic duct and of mild chronic pancreatitis was good to excellent.

CONCLUSION: Secretin injection-MRCP might be useful for the diagnosis of mild chronic pancreatitis.

Keywords: Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography; Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography; Mild; Chronic pancreatitis; Diagnosis