IIntroduction:
Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumours (p-NETs) are an important disease entity
and comprise of peptide-secreting tumours often with a functional syndrome.
:
Accounting for a small percentage of all pancreatic tumours, they have a good overall survival rate
when diagnosed early, with surgery being curative. The role of nuclear medicine in the diagnosis and
treatment of these tumours is evident. However, the vast majority of patients will require extensive imaging
in the form of conventional radiological techniques. It is important for clinicians to have a fundamental
understanding of the p-NET appearances to aid prompt identification and to help direct management
through neoplastic staging.
Methods:
This article will review the advantages and disadvantages of conventional radiological techniques
in the context of p-NETs and highlight features that these tumours exhibit.
Conclusion:
Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours are a unique collection of neoplasms that have markedly
disparate clinical features but similar imaging characteristics. Most p-NETs are small and welldefined
with homogenous enhancement following contrast administration, although larger and less welldifferentiated
tumours can demonstrate areas of necrosis and cystic architecture with heterogeneous
enhancement characteristics.
:
Prognosis is generally favourable for these tumours with various treatment options available. However,
conventional radiological techniques will remain the foundation for the initial diagnosis and staging of
these tumours, and a grasp of these modalities is extremely important for physicians.