# Vanishing pancreas: CT and MRI features and imaging diagnostic strategies

## TL;DR

This paper reviews the CT and MRI features of a vanishing pancreas, caused by conditions like agenesis, fat deposition, and chronic pancreatitis, to improve diagnostic accuracy.

## Contribution

The paper provides a comprehensive summary of imaging features and clinical associations for diagnosing a vanishing pancreas.

## Key findings

- Imaging reveals a hypodense pancreas resembling fat or only the pancreatic head and proximal body visible.
- Intra-pancreatic fat deposition is linked to genetic and systemic diseases like cystic fibrosis and diabetes.
- Dorsal pancreatic agenesis and chronic pancreatitis are key causes of pancreatic atrophy.

## Abstract

The vanishing pancreas is a frequently overlooked condition which can result from partial or complete dorsal pancreatic agenesis, intra-pancreatic fat deposition (IPFD) and pancreatic atrophy caused by chronic pancreatitis. A variety of diseases, including cystic fibrosis, maturity-onset diabetes of the young type 8, Shwachman-Diamond syndrome, and Johanson-Blizzard syndrome, can manifest as IPFD. Dorsal pancreatic agenesis can, albeit rarely, coexist with abnormalities or tumors. This review aimed to summarize the various causes that may result in partial or complete vanishing pancreas on computed tomography/magnetic resonance imaging (CT/MRI). We provide a comprehensive review of these imaging findings and their corresponding clinical characteristics, which are crucial for ensuring an accurate diagnosis.

By reviewing various causes of pancreatic vanishing, we summarize these imaging findings and their corresponding clinical characteristics, which is crucial for ensuring an accurate diagnosis and patient management.

Imaging findings of partial or complete pancreatic vanishing reveal a hypodense pancreas (resembling fat density) or visibility of only the pancreatic head and proximal body.Pancreatic vanishing can result from dorsal pancreatic agenesis, intra-pancreatic fat deposition, and atrophy caused by chronic pancreatitis.Intra-pancreatic fat deposition is associated with genetic and systemic diseases.

Imaging findings of partial or complete pancreatic vanishing reveal a hypodense pancreas (resembling fat density) or visibility of only the pancreatic head and proximal body.

Pancreatic vanishing can result from dorsal pancreatic agenesis, intra-pancreatic fat deposition, and atrophy caused by chronic pancreatitis.

Intra-pancreatic fat deposition is associated with genetic and systemic diseases.