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MRI evaluation of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma: diagnosis, mimics, and staging

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Abstract

The radiologist’s role in the evaluation of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma remains critical in the management of this deadly disease. Imaging plays a vital role in the diagnosis and staging of pancreatic cancer. Although CT is more commonly used for staging pancreatic cancer, MR is increasingly playing an important role in this regard. In our institution, all pancreatic malignancies undergo staging with MRI. In this pictoral essay, we illustrate the MR imaging features of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma and its mimics, and we also discuss pearls and pitfalls in MR staging of pancreatic carcinoma.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to acknowledge Dr. Mellena Bridges for inspiration and Dr. David DiSantis for assistance in manuscript preparation.

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  1. Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, 4500 San Pablo Road, Jacksonville, FL, 32224, USA

    Andrew W. Bowman & Candice W. Bolan

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Correspondence to Andrew W. Bowman.

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Bowman, A.W., Bolan, C.W. MRI evaluation of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma: diagnosis, mimics, and staging. Abdom Radiol 44, 936–949 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00261-018-1686-x

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