Differentiation of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma from inflammatory mass: added value of magnetic resonance elastography

Quantitative MR imaging biomarkers for distinguishing inflammatory pancreatic mass and pancreatic cancer-a systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the diagnostic performance of quantitative magnetic resonance (MR) imaging biomarkers in distinguishing between inflammatory pancreatic masses (IPM) and pancreatic cancer (PC).

METHODS

A literature search was conducted using PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, and Web of Science through August 2023. Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies 2 (QUADAS-2) was used to evaluate the risk of bias and applicability of the studies. The pooled sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio, negative likelihood ratio, and diagnostic odds ratio were calculated using the DerSimonian-Laird method. Univariate meta-regression analysis was used to identify the potential factors of heterogeneity.

RESULTS

Twenty-four studies were included in this meta-analysis. The two main types of IPM, mass-forming pancreatitis (MFP) and autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP), differ in their apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values. Compared with PC, the ADC value was higher in MFP but lower in AIP. The pooled sensitivity/specificity of ADC were 0.80/0.85 for distinguishing MFP from PC and 0.82/0.84 for distinguishing AIP from PC. The pooled sensitivity/specificity for the maximal diameter of the upstream main pancreatic duct (dMPD) was 0.86/0.74, with a cutoff of dMPD ≤ 4 mm, and 0.97/0.52, with a cutoff of dMPD ≤ 5 mm. The pooled sensitivity/specificity for perfusion fraction (f) was 0.82/0.68, and 0.82/0.77 for mass stiffness values.

CONCLUSIONS

Quantitative MR imaging biomarkers are useful in distinguishing between IPM and PC. ADC values differ between MFP and AIP, and they should be separated for consideration in future studies.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE STATEMENT

Quantitative MR parameters could serve as non-invasive imaging biomarkers for differentiating malignant pancreatic neoplasms from inflammatory masses of the pancreas, and hence help to avoid unnecessary surgery.

KEY POINTS

• Several quantitative MR imaging biomarkers performed well in differential diagnosis between inflammatory pancreatic mass and pancreatic cancer. • The ADC value could discern pancreatic cancer from mass-forming pancreatitis or autoimmune pancreatitis, if the two inflammatory mass types are not combined. • The diameter of main pancreatic duct had the highest specificity for differentiating autoimmune pancreatitis from pancreatic cancer.

Quantitative Magnetic Resonance Imaging for the Pancreas: Current Status

ABSTRACT

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is important for evaluating pancreatic disorders, and anatomical landmarks play a major role in the interpretation of results. Quantitative MRI is an effective diagnostic modality for various pathologic conditions, as it allows the investigation of various physical parameters. Recent advancements in quantitative MRI techniques have significantly improved the accuracy of pancreatic MRI. Consequently, this method has become an essential tool for the diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring of pancreatic diseases. This comprehensive review article presents the currently available evidence on the clinical utility of quantitative MRI of the pancreas.

The clinical characteristics of focal acute pancreatitis based on imaging diagnosis: comparison with non-localized acute pancreatitis- a preliminary result

BACKGROUND

Focal acute pancreatitis is a special type of acute pancreatitis, which diagnosis is based on image showing a focal mass formation in the pancreas. For acute pancreatitis with or without focal inflammatory enlargement, little is known on differences between them. Our purpose was to find differences between focal acute pancreatitis and non-localized acute pancreatitis.

METHODS

We reviewed the medical records of a total of 24 patients diagnosed with focal acute pancreatitis by imaging and clinical diagnosis, and 27 cases of acute pancreatitis which manifest non-localized pancreas inflammation were selected as the control group. The differences of the two groups were compared to describe their clinical characteristics.

RESULTS

Differences in bloating (4.2% VS 29.6%,P = 0.026), abdominal tenderness (58.3% VS 85.2%,P = 0.032), peripheral blood neutrophil ratio (60.1 ± 23.3VS 75.9 ± 12.6,P = 0.004), serum D-Dimer (0.40(0.25,0.98) VS 1.59(0.49,4.63),P = 0.008), serum GGT (40(25,91) VS120(22,383),P = 0.046), serum amylase(435(241,718) VS 591(394,1333),P = 0.044) and lipase(988(648,1067) VS 1686(525,2675),P = 0.027) between focal acute pancreatitis and non-localized acute pancreatitis groups were statistically significant. However, difference of the severity of two groups was not statistically significant (P = 1.000).

CONCLUSION

Compared with non-localized acute pancreatitis, changes in symptoms, signs and laboratory indicators of focal acute pancreatitis are non-obvious, however, there was no significant difference in the severity of two groups, indicating that we should pay more attention to diagnosis of focal acute pancreatitis in clinical practice.

Changes in Tissue Fluidity Predict Tumor Aggressiveness In Vivo

Cancer progression is caused by genetic changes and associated with various alterations in cell properties, which also affect a tumor's mechanical state. While an increased stiffness has been well known for long for solid tumors, it has limited prognostic power. It is hypothesized that cancer progression is accompanied by tissue fluidization, where portions of the tissue can change position across different length scales. Supported by tabletop magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) on stroma mimicking collagen gels and microscopic analysis of live cells inside patient derived tumor explants, an overview is provided of how cancer associated mechanisms, including cellular unjamming, proliferation, microenvironment composition, and remodeling can alter a tissue's fluidity and stiffness. In vivo, state-of-the-art multifrequency MRE can distinguish tumors from their surrounding host tissue by their rheological fingerprints. Most importantly, a meta-analysis on the currently available clinical studies is conducted and universal trends are identified. The results and conclusions are condensed into a gedankenexperiment about how a tumor can grow and eventually metastasize into its environment from a physics perspective to deduce corresponding mechanical properties. Based on stiffness, fluidity, spatial heterogeneity, and texture of the tumor front a roadmap for a prognosis of a tumor's aggressiveness and metastatic potential is presented.

MR Elastography in Cancer

ABSTRACT

The mechanical traits of cancer include abnormally high solid stress as well as drastic and spatially heterogeneous changes in intrinsic mechanical tissue properties. Whereas solid stress elicits mechanosensory signals promoting tumor progression, mechanical heterogeneity is conducive to cell unjamming and metastatic spread. This reductionist view of tumorigenesis and malignant transformation provides a generalized framework for understanding the physical principles of tumor aggressiveness and harnessing them as novel in vivo imaging markers. Magnetic resonance elastography is an emerging imaging technology for depicting the viscoelastic properties of biological soft tissues and clinically characterizing tumors in terms of their biomechanical properties. This review article presents recent technical developments, basic results, and clinical applications of magnetic resonance elastography in patients with malignant tumors.

Feasibility and Reproducibility of Multifrequency Magnetic Resonance Elastography in Healthy and Diseased Pancreases

BACKGROUND

The feasibility and reproducibility of multifrequency MR elastography (MRE) for diagnosing pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) have not been reported.

PURPOSE

To determine the feasibility and reproducibility of multifrequency MRE for assessing pancreatic stiffness in healthy and diseased pancreases.

STUDY TYPE

Prospective.

SUBJECTS

A total of 40 healthy volunteers and 10 patients with PDAC were prospectively recruited between March 2018 and October 2021.

FIELD STRENGTH/SEQUENCE

A 3.0-T pancreatic MRE at frequencies in the order of 30, 40, 60, 80, and 100 Hz.

ASSESSMENT

Body mass index (BMI) and wave distance of the healthy pancreas and PDAC were measured. Image quality was assessed using the image quality score (IQS: 1-4, ≥3 were considered diagnostic quality). Three readers independently performed the pancreatic stiffness and IQS assessments to evaluate reproducibility.

STATISTICAL TESTS

Logistic regression analyses were performed to determine variables that influenced IQS. Statistical significance was set at P <0.05. Levels of inter- and intrarater agreement were assessed using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) and Cohen's kappa coefficient (κ). Good reproducibility was set at ICC and κ ≥ 0.8.

RESULTS

In logistic regression analysis, a diagnostic IQS in healthy volunteers was independently associated with a lower BMI (odds ratio [OR] = 0.89 kg/m-2 ), shorter wave distance (OR = 0.70 cm-1 ), and lower frequency (30 and 40 Hz: OR = 170.01 and 96.02). In PDAC, frequency was the only independent factor for diagnostic IQS (30-60 Hz: OR = 46.18, 46.18, and 17.20, respectively) with 100 Hz as a reference. In healthy volunteers, good reproducibility was observed at 30 and 40 Hz. In PDAC, good reproducibility was observed at 30-60 Hz.

DATA CONCLUSION

MRE at 30 and 40 Hz provides diagnostic wave images and reliable measurements of pancreatic stiffness in healthy volunteers. MRE at 30-60 Hz is acceptable for PDACs (IQS ≥ 3, ICC and κ ≥ 0.80).

EVIDENCE LEVEL

1 TECHNICAL EFFICACY: Stage 2.

MR Elastography-Based Shear Strain Mapping for Assessment of Microvascular Invasion in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the potential of MR elastography (MRE)-based shear strain mapping to noninvasively predict the presence of microvascular invasion (MVI) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

METHODS

Fifty-nine histopathology-proven HCC patients with conventional 60-Hz MRE examinations (+/-MVI, n = 34/25) were enrolled retrospectively between December 2016 and October 2019, with one subgroup comprising 29/59 patients (+/-MVI, n = 16/13) who also underwent 40- and 30-Hz MRE examinations. Octahedral shear strain (OSS) maps were calculated, and the percentage of peritumoral interface length with low shear strain (i.e., a low-shear-strain length, pLSL, %) was recorded. For OSS-pLSL, differences between the MVI (+) and MVI (-) groups and diagnostic performance at different MRE frequencies were analyzed using the Mann-Whitney test and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), respectively.

RESULTS

The peritumor OSS-pLSL was significantly higher in the MVI (+) group than in the MVI (-) group at the three frequencies (all p < 0.01). The AUC of peritumor OSS-pLSL for predicting MVI was good/excellent in all frequency groups (60-Hz: 0.73 (n = 59)/0.80 (n = 29); 40-Hz: 0.84; 30-Hz: 0.90). On further analysis of the 29 cases with all frequencies, the AUCs were not significantly different. As the frequency decreased from 60-Hz, the specificity of OSS increased at 40-Hz (53.8-61.5%) and further increased at 30-Hz (53.8-76.9%), and the sensitivity remained high at lower frequencies (100.0-93.8%) (all p > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

MRE-based shear strain mapping is a promising technique for noninvasively predicting the presence of MVI in patients with HCC, and the most recommended frequency for OSS is 30-Hz.

KEY POINTS

• MR elastography (MRE)-based shear strain mapping has the potential to predict the presence of microvascular invasion (MVI) in hepatocellular carcinoma preoperatively. • The low interface shear strain identified at tumor-liver boundaries was highly correlated with the presence of MVI.

Retrospective Analysis of the Value of Enhanced CT Radiomics Analysis in the Differential Diagnosis Between Pancreatic Cancer and Chronic Pancreatitis

Purpose

To investigate the feasibility of enhanced computed tomography (CT) radiomics analysis to differentiate between pancreatic cancer (PC) and chronic pancreatitis.

Methods and materials

The CT images of 151 PCs and 24 chronic pancreatitis were retrospectively analyzed in the three-dimensional regions of interest on arterial phase (AP) and venous phase (VP) and segmented by MITK software. A multivariable logistic regression model was established based on the selected radiomics features. The radiomics score was calculated, and the nomogram was established. The discrimination of each model was analyzed by the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC). Decision curve analysis (DCA) was used to evaluate clinical utility. The precision recall curve (PRC) was used to evaluate whether the model is affected by data imbalance. The Delong test was adopted to compare the diagnostic efficiency of each model.

Results

Significant differences were observed in the distribution of gender (P = 0.034), carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (P < 0.001), and carcinoembryonic antigen (P < 0.001) in patients with PC and chronic pancreatitis. The area under the ROC curve (AUC) value of AP multivariate regression model, VP multivariate regression model, AP combined with VP features model (Radiomics), clinical feature model, and radiomics combined with clinical feature model (COMB) was 0.905, 0.941, 0.941, 0.822, and 0.980, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of the COMB model were 0.947 and 0.917, respectively. The results of DCA showed that the COMB model exhibited net clinical benefits and PRC shows that COMB model have good precision and recall (sensitivity).

Conclusion

The COMB model could be a potential tool to distinguish PC from chronic pancreatitis and aid in clinical decisions.

T1 relaxation times and MR elastography-derived stiffness: new potential imaging biomarkers for the assessment of chronic pancreatitis

PURPOSE

Non-invasive imaging methods to detect morphological changes of the pancreas in patients with mild chronic pancreatitis (CP) are needed. This study aimed to compare magnetic resonance imaging-based parameters, pancreatic volume, T1 mapping, magnetic resonance elastography (MRE), and proton density fat fraction between CP patients and controls, and determine the diagnostic performance for diagnosing different stages of CP.

METHODS

Nineteen patients with mild CP (Cambridge grade 2 or less or recurring acute pancreatitis; n = 19), 30 with moderate/severe CP (Cambridge grade 3 and 4), and 35 healthy controls underwent pancreatic magnetic resonance imaging to assess the above mentioned magnetic resonance imaging-based parameters. The diagnostic performance of each parameter for detecting any mild and moderate/severe CP was determined using receiver operating characteristic analysis.

RESULTS

Pancreatic volume, T1 relaxation times, MRE-derived stiffness, and proton density fat fraction differed significantly between patients with mild CP, moderate/severe CP, and healthy controls (all p < 0.05). T1 mapping and MRE showed a very high diagnostic performance for distinguishing the mild CP group from the control group (T1 mapping: receiver operating characteristic area under the curve (ROC-AUC): 0.94; sensitivity: 84%; specificity: 91%, MRE: ROC-AUC: 0.93; sensitivity: 89%; specificity: 94%). T1 mapping and MRE also had the highest performance for diagnosing the presence of any CP from the control group (ROC-AUCs of 0.98 and 0.97, respectively).

CONCLUSION

Quantitative assessments of T1 relaxation time and MRE-derived stiffness had high performance in detecting mild CP and could probably reflect the early fibrotic changes in CP.

Practical and clinical applications of pancreatic magnetic resonance elastography: a systematic review

Magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) is a non-invasive technique suitable for assessing mechanical properties of tissues, i.e., stiffness. MRE of the pancreas is relatively new, but recently an increasing number of studies have successfully assessed pancreas diseases with MRE aiming to differentiate healthy from pathological pancreatic tissue with or without fibrosis. This review will systematically describe the practical and clinical applications of pancreatic MRE. We conducted a systematic literature search with a pre-specified search strategy using PubMed and Embase according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. English peer-reviewed articles applying MRE of the pancreas were included. Two independent reviewers assessed the studies. The literature search yielded 14 studies. The pancreatic stiffness for healthy volunteers ranged from 1.11. to 1.21 kPa at a driver frequency of 40 Hz. In benign tumors, the stiffness values were slightly higher or sometimes even lower (range 0.78 to 2.00 kPa), compared to the healthy pancreas parenchyma whereas, in malignant tumors, the stiffness values tended to be higher (1.42 to 6.06 kPa). The pancreatic stiffness was increased in both acute (median: 1.99 kPa) and chronic pancreatitis (> 1.50 kPa). MRE is a promising technique for detecting and quantifying pancreatic stiffness. It is related to fibrosis and seems to be useful in assessing treatment response and clinical follow-up of pancreatic diseases. However, most of the described practical settings were characterized by a lack of uniformity and inconsistency in reporting standards across studies. Harmonization between centers is necessary to achieve more consensus and optimization of pancreatic MRE protocols.

The Advance of Magnetic Resonance Elastography in Tumor Diagnosis

The change in tissue stiffness caused by pathological changes in the tissue's structure could be detected earlier, prior to the manifestation of their clinical features. Magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) is a noninvasive imaging technique that uses low-frequency vibrations to quantitatively measure the elasticity or stiffness of tissues. In tumor tissue, stiffness is directly related to tumor development, invasion, metastasis, and chemoradiotherapy resistance. It also dictates the choice of surgical method. At present, MRE is widely used in assessing different human organs, such as the liver, brain, breast, prostate, uterus, gallbladder, and colon stiffness. In the field of oncology, MRE's value lies in tumor diagnosis (especially early diagnosis), selection of treatment method, and prognosis evaluation. This article summarizes the principle of MRE and its research and application progress in tumor diagnosis and treatment.

Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma: Relating Biomechanics and Prognosis

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is the most common form of pancreatic cancer and carries a dismal prognosis. Resectable patients are treated predominantly with surgery while borderline resectable patients may receive neoadjuvant treatment (NAT) to downstage their disease prior to possible resection. PDAC tissue is stiffer than healthy pancreas, and tissue stiffness is associated with cancer progression. Another feature of PDAC is increased tissue heterogeneity. We postulate that tumour stiffness and heterogeneity may be used alongside currently employed diagnostics to better predict prognosis and response to treatment. In this review we summarise the biomechanical changes observed in PDAC, explore the factors behind these changes and describe the clinical consequences. We identify methods available for assessing PDAC biomechanics ex vivo and in vivo, outlining the relative merits of each. Finally, we discuss the potential use of radiological imaging for prognostic use.

Distinguishing pancreatic cancer and autoimmune pancreatitis with in vivo tomoelastography

OBJECTIVES

To prospectively investigate the stiffness and fluidity of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) with tomoelastography, and to evaluate its diagnostic performance in distinguishing the two entities.

METHODS

Tomoelastography provided high-resolution maps of shear wave speed (c in m/s) and phase angle (φ in rad), allowing mechanical characterization of the stiffness and fluidity properties of the pancreas. Forty patients with untreated PDAC and 33 patients with untreated AIP who underwent diagnostic pancreatic MRI at 3-T together with multifrequency MR elastography and tomoelastography data processing were prospectively enrolled. Ten healthy volunteers served as controls. Two radiologists and a technician measured pancreatic stiffness and fluidity independently. The two radiologists also independently evaluated the patients' conventional MR sequences using the following diagnostic score: 1, definitely PDAC; 2, probably PDAC; 3, indeterminate; 4, probably AIP; and 5, definitely AIP. Interobserver agreement was assessed. Stiffness and fluidity of PDAC, AIP, and healthy pancreas, as well as diagnostic performance of tomoelastography and conventional MRI, were compared.

RESULTS

AIP showed significantly lower stiffness and fluidity than PDAC and significantly higher stiffness and fluidity than healthy pancreas. Pancreatic fluidity was not influenced by secondary obstructive changes. The intraclass correlation coefficient for pancreatic stiffness and fluidity by the 3 readers was near-perfect (0.951-0.979, all p < 0.001). Both stiffness and fluidity allowed distinguishing PDAC from AIP. AUCs were 0.906 for stiffness, 0.872 for fluidity, and 0.842 for conventional MRI.

CONCLUSIONS

Pancreatic stiffness and fluidity both allow differentiation of PDAC and AIP with high accuracy.

KEY POINTS

• AIP showed significantly lower stiffness and fluidity than PDAC and significantly higher stiffness and fluidity than healthy pancreas. • Both stiffness and fluidity allowed distinguishing PDAC from AIP. • Pancreatic fluidity could distinguish malignancy from non-malignant secondary obstructive changes.

Normative Pancreatic Stiffness Levels and Related Influences Established by Magnetic Resonance Elastography in Volunteers

BACKGROUND

Large-scale normative studies of pancreatic stiffness and potential influences have yet to be pursued via magnetic resonance elastography (MRE).

PURPOSE

To determine normative MRE-based pancreatic stiffness values and to examine related influential factors.

STUDY TYPE

Prospective.

SUBJECTS

In all, 361 volunteers (men, 199; women, 162) with a median age of 54.0 years and a median body mass index (BMI) of 22.86 kg/m² were prospectively recruited. Those with no histories of smoking, alcohol abuse, and diabetes mellitus (DM) were grouped as healthy volunteers, designating all others as positive controls.

FIELD STRENGTH/SEQUENCE

Each volunteer underwent 3.0T pancreatic MRI at a frequency of 40 Hz.

ASSESSMENT

Pancreatic stiffness values, pancreatic width and volume, waist circumference, and wave distance were measured in all subjects.

STATISTICAL TESTS

Multiple linear regression analyses were performed to determine variables that influence MRE-determined stiffness.

RESULTS

The mean pancreatic stiffness in all volunteers was 1.20 ± 0.16 kPa. Stiffness levels in positive control volunteers proved significantly greater than levels in healthy volunteers (1.29 ± 0.17 kPa vs. 1.14 ± 0.13 kPa; P < 0.001). In multiple linear regression analysis, sex (P = 0.004), BMI (P < 0.001), pancreatic width (P = 0.005), smoking (P < 0.001), alcohol abuse (P < 0.001), and DM (P = 0.001) emerged as significant independent factors impacting pancreatic stiffness. Smoking, alcohol abuse, DM, and wide pancreas were associated with greater pancreatic stiffness (coefficients = 0.202, 0.183, 0.149, and 0.160, respectively), while reduced pancreatic stiffness corresponded with female sex and larger BMI (coefficient = -0.155 and -0.192, respectively).

DATA CONCLUSION

MRE-based pancreatic stiffness values are impacted by sex, BMI, pancreatic width, smoking, alcohol abuse, and DM. Reference values are essential for future clinical studies.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

1 Technical Efficacy: Stage 2 J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2020;52:448-458.

Chronic Pancreatitis or Pancreatic Tumor? A Problem-solving Approach

Certain inflammatory pancreatic abnormalities may mimic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma at imaging, which precludes accurate preoperative diagnosis and may lead to unnecessary surgery. Inflammatory conditions that may appear masslike include mass-forming chronic pancreatitis, focal autoimmune pancreatitis, and paraduodenal pancreatitis or "groove pancreatitis." In addition, obstructive chronic pancreatitis can mimic an obstructing ampullary mass or main duct intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm. Secondary imaging features such as the duct-penetrating sign, biliary or main pancreatic duct skip strictures, a capsulelike rim, the pancreatic duct-to-parenchyma ratio, displaced calcifications in patients with chronic calcific pancreatitis, the "double duct" sign, and vessel encasement or displacement can help to suggest the possibility of an inflammatory mass or a neoplastic process. An awareness of the secondary signs that favor a diagnosis of malignant or inflammatory lesions in the pancreas can help the radiologist to perform the differential diagnosis and determine the degree of suspicion for malignancy. Repeat biopsy or surgical resection may be necessary to achieve an accurate diagnosis and prevent unnecessary surgery for inflammatory conditions. Online supplemental material and DICOM image stacks are available for this article. ^©RSNA, 2019.