Distribution and Characteristics of Pancreatic Volume Using Computed Tomography Volumetry

Abstract

Objectives: Changes in the pancreatic volume (PV) are useful as potential clinical markers for some pancreatic-related diseases. The objective of this study was to measure the volume of the pancreas using computed tomography (CT) volumetryand to evaluate the relationships between sex, age, body mass index (BMI), and sarcopenia. Methods: We retrospectivelyanalyzed the abdominal CT scans of 1,003 subjects whose ages ranged between 10 and 90 years. The pancreas was segmentedmanually to define the region of interest (ROI) based on CT images, and then the PVs were measured by counting the voxelsin all ROIs within the pancreas boundary. Sarcopenia was identified by examination of CT images that determined the crosssectionalarea of the skeletal muscle around the third lumbar vertebra. Results: The mean volume of the pancreas was 62.648± 19.094 cm3. The results indicated a negative correlation between the PV and age. There was a positive correlation betweenthe PV and BMI for both sexes, females, and males (r = 0.343, p < 0.001; r = 0.461, p < 0.001; and r = 0.244, p < 0.001, respectively). Additionally, there was a positive correlation between the PV and sarcopenia for females (r = 0.253, p < 0.001) andmales (r = 0.200, p < 0.001). Conclusions: CT pancreas volumetry results may help physicians follow up or predict conditionsof the pancreas after interventions for pancreatic-related disease in the future.