Thickening of the celiac axis and/or superior mesenteric artery: a sign of pancreatic carcinoma on computed tomography.

Abstract

Of 53 patients with carcinoma of the pancreas studied by computed tomography, 20 (37.7%) had apparent thickening of the celiac axis or superior mesenteric artery. In 6 of them, the pancreatic mass was poorly defined. The frequency of this sign, correlation with angiographic findings and pathogenesis are discussed.