Volumetric Analysis of the Pancreas in Autopsy versus Contrast-enhanced Computed Tomography: An Observational Study with Insight Into Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Related Changes

Introduction: Pancreatic volume is influenced by ethnicity, race, body mass index, physiological status, and diseases like diabetes mellitus, with measurement methods also playing a role. The aim of the study is to document the variation in the pancreatic volume as observed in computed tomography (CT) and autopsy specimens of the healthy Indian population and its variation in diabetic subjects. Methodology: We enrolled 85 participants, including 31 nondiabetic individuals from autopsies and 31 nondiabetic patients undergoing contrast-enhanced CT (CECT) for nonpancreatic reasons. In addition, 23 patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) who underwent CECT were included. Pancreatic volumes were calculated using software on a GE workstation version 4.7. Results: Pancreatic volume in control subjects, measured via CECT and autopsy, was 62.85 ± 8.85 cm 3 and 98.03 ± 4.35 cm 3 , respectively ( P < 0.0001). T2DM patients showed increased pancreatic volume (68.62 ± 11.67 cm 3 , P = 0.044). Conclusions: This study establishes baseline pancreatic volumes in the Indian population. Imaging studies often underestimate the pancreatic volume due to limitations such as resolution, slice thickness, partial volume effects, physiological status of the individual or organ, and other factors.