Two-Dimensional Multiplanar and Three-Dimensional Volume-Rendered Vascular CT in Pancreatic Carcinoma

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Abstract
OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this study was to compare two-dimensional curved multiplanar and three-dimensional reconstructions, routine axial presentations, and combined techniques in the assessment of vascular involvement by pancreatic malignancy.MATERIALS AND METHODS. For 44 patients with known pancreatic malignancy a total of 56 arterial phase helical CT scans were obtained. Targeted pancreatic imaging was performed, and reformatted images were generated. Axial source images, reformatted images, and the combination of axial and reformatted images were interpreted independently by three observers. The observers graded the celiac axis, common and proper hepatic, splenic, gastroduodenal, and superior mesenteric arteries for tumor involvement. Grades of vascular involvement were compared by intra- and interobserver variability analyses.RESULTS. Intraobserver agreement averaged over five vessels was good between the axial and combined techniques for each individual observer (0.64 ≤ κ ≤ 0.66), but intraobserve...