Computed tomography of carcinoma in the pancreatic head

Computed tomographic findings in patients with localized and extensive pancreatic head cancer were studied. Widening of the pancreatic duct existed in both groups; mass shadow was hardly detected in localized and rather easily detected in extensive cancer; duodenal invasion and obliteration of fat planes were found only in extensive type; enlargement of the pancreas was a confusing factor of tumor detection in localized type; atrophy of the pancreatic body and tail was a most favorable indirect sign in extensive cancer.