To investigate the most common pancreatic diseases in pediatric patients; to describe their MR imaging features.

Pancreatic diseases in children are uncommon, but frequently associated with severe and long-lasting complications [1]. Pediatric patients, compared to adults, are affected by different pancreatic diseases: due to the small size of the abdomen, pancreas is more easily affected by traumatic processes. The most frequent neoplasms are also different in children. For adult patients, following ultrasonograpy, CT is considered the best imaging technique to investigate most inflammatory and neoplastic pancreatic conditions [2]. However, for younger children, CT is limited by poor contrast resolution due to...

We have revised the most important articles regarding pancreatic diseases in children. The first imaging examination in these patients is ultrasonography; the second line examination is often MR, because of its high contrast resolution and lack of ionizing radiations. The most common pediatric pancreatic disease is pancreatitis, with an incidence of 1 case per 10.000 children/year [6]; about 25% of them develop severe life-threatening complications [7]. In these patients MR has a double role: to assess the severity of the process and to identify the...

The most common pancreatic disease in pediatric population is pancreatitis, often caused by gallstones or anatomical anomalies. Children affected by genetic conditions like VHL and MEN1 have a significantly increased risk of developing pancreatic neoplasms. Pancreatic traumas are more common in children than in adults and are life threatening conditions. All the described diseases are well investigated with MRI, which is a safe and accurate technique for pediatric population.

1 Thai TC, Riherd DM, Rust KR (2013) MRI manifestations of pancreatic disease, especially pancreatitis, in the pediatric population. AJR Am J Roentgenol 201:W877-892 2 Low G, Panu A, Millo N, Leen E (2011) Multimodality imaging of neoplastic and nonneoplastic solid lesions of the pancreas. Radiographics 31:993-1015 3 Lucidi V, Alghisi F, Dall'Oglio L et al (2011) The etiology of acute recurrent pancreatitis in children: a challenge for pediatricians. Pancreas 40:517-521 4 Heyn C, Sue-Chue-Lam D, Jhaveri K, Haider MA (2012) MRI of the pancreas:...