Ultrasonic diagnosis readily supplies definite evidence of a pathologic process, but the interpretation of an abnormal ultrasonic scan presents difficulties.To interpret the scan, knowledge of the topographic criteria in assessing pathologic findings is necessary.The cited clinical examples demonstrate the usefulness of the topographic criteria devised by us for the sonographic delineation of the pancreas region. They illustrate the typical echo pattern of the following pancreatic diseases: (1) dilated pancreatic duct, carcinoma of the papilla; (2) acute pancreatitis; (3) fibrosis, necrosis; and (4) tumors of the head, body and tail of the pancreas.