Hypoechogenic embryologic ventral aspect of the head and uncinate process of the pancreas: in vitro correlation of US with histopathologic findings.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the hypothesis that hypoechogenicity of the embryologic ventral aspect of the head of the pancreas is due to diminished fat content. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ultrasound and histopathologic findings in 13 pancreatic autopsy specimens were compared, and the prevalence of areas of hyperattenuation of the embryologic ventral aspect of the head of the pancreas at computed tomography (CT) was studied. RESULTS: In vitro examination of pancreatic autopsy specimens showed this variant in seven (54%) of the 13 specimens, and histopathologic correlation confirmed that there is diminished fat content corresponding to the hypoechoic portion of the head of the pancreas. This difference in attenuation was visible on 21 (22%) of 96 CT scans. There was a statistically significant (P < .05, r = .212) increase in the prevalence of this finding with increasing age. CONCLUSION: Hypoechogenicity of the embryologic ventral aspect of the head of the pancreas is due to diminished fat content. This difference in attenuation is also commonly seen on CT scans.