Pancreas Protocol
You must always evaluate the entire organ first before you store an image
You should understand completely why you stored the image and identify everything in
the image
Multiple breathing techniques may be required
Organ/ Scan Label Key Landmarks Identified
Order Plane
Pancreas head
PANCREAS Portal splenic confluence
CBD
o If CBD is enlarged, measure internal AP diameter
Transvers
Pancreas body
Pancrea e plane
Aorta
s on the PANCREAS
Measurement
body
o If pancreatic duct is seen measure internal AP
diameter
PANCREAS Pancreas tail
Splenic vein
Pancreas head
PANCREAS
Liver
SAG HEAD
IVC
Pancreas neck
PANCREAS Uncinate process
Sagittal
Pancrea SAG NECK Liver
plane on
s SMV
the body
Pancreas body
PANCREAS
Liver
SAG BODY
Aorta
PANCREAS Pancreas tail
SAG TAIL Splenic vein
Normal Measurement Ranges
Structure Area of Plane Measureme Comments
Interest nt
Common Bile Head of the Transver <7-8 mm Only performed if abnormalities are
Duct pancreas se plane suspected
on the If duct is enlarged measure internal
body duct diameter anterior to posterior
Pancreas Head Transver 2-3.5 cm Only performed if abnormalities are
se plane suspected
on the
body
Pancreatic Body of the Transver 2 mm or less Only performed if duct is seen
Duct pancreas se plane If duct is enlarged measure internal
on the duct diameter anterior to posterior
AK\backup\Abdomen I\Protocols
body
Pancreas Protocol
Common Laboratory Values to be Reviewed prior to Examination
Lab Value Organ Level Indication or Association
Amylase Pancreas Increased Pancreatitis or other pancreatic disease
Lipase Pancreas Increased Pancreatitis or other pancreatic disease
Tips
o Have patient poke out their abdomen or take in a deep breath if having trouble
seeing the pancreas
o Patient may drink water through a straw to create a fluid window if necessary
o Tail may be evaluated using the spleen as a window
Pathology Seen
o Gray scale sagittal and transverse images
o Gray scale sagittal and transverse images with 3 measurements (length, width and
height)
o Color Doppler image to document the presence of blood flow
o Spectral Doppler image to document type and velocity of blood flow
AK\backup\Abdomen I\Protocols