MRI in cystic pancreatic lesions, is it of value?

Introduction: Cystic pancreatic lesions are currently discovered at higher rate, hence adequate characterization of these lesions by the radiologist is important in guiding management. Aim of the work: Was to identify the role of MRI in characterization of cystic pancreatic lesions. Patients and methods: Thirty patients with suspected cystic lesions of the pancreas were examined by MRI using 1.5 T machines including conventional MRI sequences, dynamic contrast enhanced imaging, DWI and IP/OP sequence. Results: The study included 30 patients (12 males and 18 females) with their age ranging from 16 to 88 years (mean age 55 years), MRI analysis of the cyst contents and communication with ductal system were used to characterize different cyst types, among these patients we found serous cystadenoma in five patients, mucinous cystadenoma in seven patients, mucinous cystadenocarcinoma in one patient, branch type Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMN) in seven patients, Mixed IPMN in two patients. Cystic neuroendocrine tumors (CNET) in three patients. Solid cystic pancreatic neoplasm (SPN) in two patients. Pseudocyst in one patient and walled off necrosis (WON) in two patients. Pathological assessment of the lesions was done whenever indicated. Conclusions: MRI with its superior soft tissue resolution is of value in characterization of different cystic pancreatic lesions helping to reach the correct diagnosis

Pancreatic surgery outcomes: multicentre prospective snapshot study in 67 countries

Background: Pancreatic surgery remains associated with high morbidity rates. Although postoperative mortality appears to have improved with specialization, the outcomes reported in the literature reflect the activity of highly specialized centres. The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcomes following pancreatic surgery worldwide.Methods: This was an international, prospective, multicentre, cross-sectional snapshot study of consecutive patients undergoing pancreatic operations worldwide in a 3-month interval in 2021. The primary outcome was postoperative mortality within 90 days of surgery. Multivariable logistic regression was used to explore relationships with Human Development Index (HDI) and other parameters.Results: A total of 4223 patients from 67 countries were analysed. A complication of any severity was detected in 68.7 percent of patients (2901 of 4223). Major complication rates (Clavien-Dindo grade at least IIIa) were 24, 18, and 27 percent, and mortality rates were 10, 5, and 5 per cent in low-to-middle-, high-, and very high-HDI countries respectively. The 90-day postoperative mortality rate was 5.4 per cent (229 of 4223) overall, but was significantly higher in the low-to-middle-HDI group (adjusted OR 2.88, 95 per cent c.i. 1.80 to 4.48). The overall failure-to-rescue rate was 21 percent; however, it was 41 per cent in low-to-middle-compared with 19 per cent in very high-HDI countries.Conclusion: Excess mortality in low-to-middle-HDI countries could be attributable to failure to rescue of patients from severe complications. The authors call for a collaborative response from international and regional associations of pancreatic surgeons to address management related to death from postoperative complications to tackle the global disparities in the outcomes of pancreatic surgery (NCT04652271; ISRCTN95140761)