Vanishing pancreas: CT and MRI features and imaging diagnostic strategies
Abstract The vanishing pancreas is a frequently overlooked condition which can result from partial or complete dorsal pancreatic agenesis, intra-pancreatic fat deposition (IPFD) and pancreatic atrophy caused by chronic pancreatitis. A variety of diseases, including cystic fibrosis, maturity-onset di...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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SpringerOpen
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Insights into Imaging |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13244-025-01998-4 |
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| author | Yanjin Qin Danyang Xu Yuxin Wu Xiaoqi Zhou Chenyu Song Zhi Dong Lujie Li Meicheng Chen Yanji Luo Huasong Cai Mimi Tang Shi-Ting Feng |
| author_facet | Yanjin Qin Danyang Xu Yuxin Wu Xiaoqi Zhou Chenyu Song Zhi Dong Lujie Li Meicheng Chen Yanji Luo Huasong Cai Mimi Tang Shi-Ting Feng |
| author_sort | Yanjin Qin |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract The vanishing pancreas is a frequently overlooked condition which can result from partial or complete dorsal pancreatic agenesis, intra-pancreatic fat deposition (IPFD) and pancreatic atrophy caused by chronic pancreatitis. A variety of diseases, including cystic fibrosis, maturity-onset diabetes of the young type 8, Shwachman-Diamond syndrome, and Johanson-Blizzard syndrome, can manifest as IPFD. Dorsal pancreatic agenesis can, albeit rarely, coexist with abnormalities or tumors. This review aimed to summarize the various causes that may result in partial or complete vanishing pancreas on computed tomography/magnetic resonance imaging (CT/MRI). We provide a comprehensive review of these imaging findings and their corresponding clinical characteristics, which are crucial for ensuring an accurate diagnosis. Critical relevance statement By reviewing various causes of pancreatic vanishing, we summarize these imaging findings and their corresponding clinical characteristics, which is crucial for ensuring an accurate diagnosis and patient management. Key Points Imaging findings of partial or complete pancreatic vanishing reveal a hypodense pancreas (resembling fat density) or visibility of only the pancreatic head and proximal body. Pancreatic vanishing can result from dorsal pancreatic agenesis, intra-pancreatic fat deposition, and atrophy caused by chronic pancreatitis. Intra-pancreatic fat deposition is associated with genetic and systemic diseases. Graphical Abstract |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-08007722b8fe4a0d8f9e57f22e8ec01b |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1869-4101 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | SpringerOpen |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Insights into Imaging |
| spelling | doaj-art-08007722b8fe4a0d8f9e57f22e8ec01b2025-08-20T04:01:35ZengSpringerOpenInsights into Imaging1869-41012025-07-0116111310.1186/s13244-025-01998-4Vanishing pancreas: CT and MRI features and imaging diagnostic strategiesYanjin Qin0Danyang Xu1Yuxin Wu2Xiaoqi Zhou3Chenyu Song4Zhi Dong5Lujie Li6Meicheng Chen7Yanji Luo8Huasong Cai9Mimi Tang10Shi-Ting Feng11Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen UniversityDepartment of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen UniversityDepartment of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen UniversityDepartment of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen UniversityDepartment of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen UniversityDepartment of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen UniversityDepartment of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen UniversityDepartment of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen UniversityDepartment of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen UniversityDepartment of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen UniversityDepartment of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen UniversityDepartment of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen UniversityAbstract The vanishing pancreas is a frequently overlooked condition which can result from partial or complete dorsal pancreatic agenesis, intra-pancreatic fat deposition (IPFD) and pancreatic atrophy caused by chronic pancreatitis. A variety of diseases, including cystic fibrosis, maturity-onset diabetes of the young type 8, Shwachman-Diamond syndrome, and Johanson-Blizzard syndrome, can manifest as IPFD. Dorsal pancreatic agenesis can, albeit rarely, coexist with abnormalities or tumors. This review aimed to summarize the various causes that may result in partial or complete vanishing pancreas on computed tomography/magnetic resonance imaging (CT/MRI). We provide a comprehensive review of these imaging findings and their corresponding clinical characteristics, which are crucial for ensuring an accurate diagnosis. Critical relevance statement By reviewing various causes of pancreatic vanishing, we summarize these imaging findings and their corresponding clinical characteristics, which is crucial for ensuring an accurate diagnosis and patient management. Key Points Imaging findings of partial or complete pancreatic vanishing reveal a hypodense pancreas (resembling fat density) or visibility of only the pancreatic head and proximal body. Pancreatic vanishing can result from dorsal pancreatic agenesis, intra-pancreatic fat deposition, and atrophy caused by chronic pancreatitis. Intra-pancreatic fat deposition is associated with genetic and systemic diseases. Graphical Abstracthttps://doi.org/10.1186/s13244-025-01998-4Dorsal pancreatic agenesisIntra-pancreatic fat depositionComputed tomographyMagnetic resonance imaging |
| spellingShingle | Yanjin Qin Danyang Xu Yuxin Wu Xiaoqi Zhou Chenyu Song Zhi Dong Lujie Li Meicheng Chen Yanji Luo Huasong Cai Mimi Tang Shi-Ting Feng Vanishing pancreas: CT and MRI features and imaging diagnostic strategies Insights into Imaging Dorsal pancreatic agenesis Intra-pancreatic fat deposition Computed tomography Magnetic resonance imaging |
| title | Vanishing pancreas: CT and MRI features and imaging diagnostic strategies |
| title_full | Vanishing pancreas: CT and MRI features and imaging diagnostic strategies |
| title_fullStr | Vanishing pancreas: CT and MRI features and imaging diagnostic strategies |
| title_full_unstemmed | Vanishing pancreas: CT and MRI features and imaging diagnostic strategies |
| title_short | Vanishing pancreas: CT and MRI features and imaging diagnostic strategies |
| title_sort | vanishing pancreas ct and mri features and imaging diagnostic strategies |
| topic | Dorsal pancreatic agenesis Intra-pancreatic fat deposition Computed tomography Magnetic resonance imaging |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13244-025-01998-4 |
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